Remove a Photoshop Background with Select and Mask
Follow this straightforward workflow to remove a background in Photoshop. You’ll create an AI-assisted selection, refine edges and hair with Select and Mask, then output to a non-destructive layer mask. Finish by previewing on a solid color or replacing the background entirely.
Step-by-step instructions
Enter Select and Mask
Open your image (File → Open…).
Go to Select → Select and Mask…
Set View to Onionskin with Transparency around 50% to compare selection vs. original.
Auto-select the subject
Click Select Subject to detect the main subject automatically.
If there are multiple subjects, choose the Object Selection Tool (Lasso) and circle the one you want to keep.
Use the Quick Selection Tool to add or Alt/Option-paint to subtract where needed.
Clean the initial selection
Zoom and pan to inspect edges.
With Quick Selection set to Add, paint in missing areas (e.g., small straps or laces).
Use the Brush Tool inside Select and Mask with + or − to fine-tune hard-to-detect details.
Refine global edges
Switch View to Black & White to audit the mask.
Increase Smooth to reduce jaggies and increase Contrast to crisp edges; keep Feather at 0 px unless a soft edge is desired.
Switch View to On Black and pull Shift Edge inward to reduce halos; brush away any remaining fringing with −.
Output to Layer Mask
Set Output To → Layer Mask and click OK to remove the background non-destructively.
Refine hair separately
Select the layer mask thumbnail, then Properties → Select and Mask…
Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool over hair; try Refine Hair if available, undo if results aren’t ideal and continue manually.
Output To → Layer Mask → OK.
Preview on a solid color
Layer → New Fill Layer → Solid Color… and pick any color → OK.
Place the Color Fill layer beneath the subject to check for edge issues.
Finish mask touch-ups
Select the mask; lower Density in Properties to reveal original background for alignment.
Brush (B) with white to reveal, black to hide; press X to swap colors.
Restore Density to 100% when done.
Replace the background
File → Place Embedded… to import a new background.
Press Enter/Return to commit and move it under the subject layer.
