Remove Background on Photoshop with Select and Mask
You’ll start by generating an AI-powered selection, then refine edges with Smooth, Contrast, and Shift Edge before outputting to a non-destructive Layer Mask. Hair gets its own pass with the Refine Edge Brush for best results. Finish by adding a color fill or placing a replacement image behind your subject.
Step-by-step instructions
Enter the Select and Mask workspace
Open your image in Photoshop.
Go to Select → Select and Mask.
Choose Onion Skin view and set Transparency to about 50% for a clear preview.
Create the initial selection
Click Select Subject to auto-select the main subject.
For multiple subjects, use the Object Selection Tool (Lasso) to loop around the one you want selected.
Use Quick Selection to add; hold Alt/Option to subtract from the selection.
Refine edges globally
Switch View to Black & White to examine the mask.
Raise Smooth to reduce rough edges and increase Contrast to sharpen borders.
Switch to On Black view and move Shift Edge slightly negative to remove halos.
Use the Brush Tool (Subtract) to tidy up small imperfections.
Output to a mask
Set Output To: Layer Mask in Output Settings.
Click OK to return with the background hidden non‑destructively.
Refine hair separately
Select the Layer Mask thumbnail, then click Select and Mask in Properties.
Paint hair edges with the Refine Edge Brush; try Refine Hair (2021+) if available.
Click OK to apply refinements to the current mask.
Add a color background
Create new fill or adjustment layer → Solid Color.
Choose any color and click OK.
Drag the Solid Color layer beneath the subject.
Do final mask cleanup
With the Layer Mask active, paint white to reveal and black to hide; press X to swap colors quickly.
Lower Mask Density in Properties to see the original background for reference, then restore to 100%.
Optional: Auto remove background
Select the image layer and open the Properties panel.
Click Remove Background to auto-mask, then refine via Select → Select and Mask if needed.
Place a new background image
Go to File → Place Embedded and choose a background photo.
Resize and position it behind the subject and confirm placement.
