Hey everyone! Ever wondered how to delete background Photoshop 2018? It's a skill that can seriously level up your photo editing game, whether you're a beginner or have been at it for a while. Trust me, learning to isolate subjects from their backgrounds opens a world of creative possibilities. From creating stunning composites to simply cleaning up your product shots, the ability to remove a background is essential. In this guide, we'll dive deep into various methods you can use in Photoshop 2018 to achieve this. We'll explore the tools, techniques, and tricks you need to master background removal. So, grab your coffee, fire up Photoshop, and let's get started!

Understanding the Basics: Why Remove Backgrounds?

Before we jump into the 'how,' let's quickly touch on the 'why.' Why is deleting backgrounds in Photoshop 2018 so crucial? Think about it: background removal gives you complete control over the context of your images. It allows you to place your subject on a different background, creating a completely new scene. Maybe you want to put your product shot on a sleek, white background for your online store. Or perhaps you want to combine elements from different photos to create a surreal image. Background removal is the first step toward achieving these goals. It’s the cornerstone of many advanced editing techniques. Moreover, it is helpful for making images look professional. Understanding the basics will make the entire process easier. It will help you choose the best tools for different types of images. So, as you see, knowing how to remove backgrounds is an important skill in the world of image editing. Furthermore, the ability to change the background to suit different needs is powerful. You’ll be able to quickly adapt images for various uses.

The Importance of Background Removal

Removing a background is more than just a cool trick; it is a fundamental skill in digital image editing. It offers unmatched flexibility in how you use your photos. Consider e-commerce, where product images on a clean, neutral background are the norm. Background removal allows you to create these professional-looking images. It ensures consistency across your product listings. For graphic designers, removing backgrounds is a daily task. They use this to isolate elements to create eye-catching designs and marketing materials. In photography, background removal can save a picture that might be ruined by a distracting backdrop. It is possible to replace a dull sky or a cluttered environment with something more appealing. The bottom line? Mastering background removal expands your creative horizons. It allows you to transform ordinary photos into extraordinary visuals, whether for personal projects or professional work. The possibilities are really endless, and once you start, you'll find yourself using this technique all the time!

The Magic Wand Tool: Quick and Easy Background Removal

Alright, let's get into the practical stuff. The Magic Wand Tool in Photoshop 2018 is a great place to start, especially for images with simple backgrounds. Think of it as a one-click wonder for background removal. This tool selects areas based on color similarity. If your subject has a clearly defined color and the background is a solid, distinct color, the Magic Wand is your best friend. The tool is found in the toolbar, often grouped with the Quick Selection Tool and Object Selection Tool. To use the Magic Wand, simply select the tool, and click on the background area you want to remove. Photoshop will select a contiguous area based on the tolerance setting. The tolerance setting controls the range of colors the Magic Wand will select. A lower tolerance selects similar colors, while a higher tolerance selects a broader range. After selecting the background, you can then delete it using the Delete key, or create a layer mask for non-destructive editing.

Step-by-Step Guide with the Magic Wand

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the Magic Wand Tool for removing backgrounds:

1. Open your image: Start by opening your image in Photoshop 2018.
2. Select the Magic Wand Tool: Find the Magic Wand Tool in the toolbar and select it.
3. Adjust the Tolerance: In the options bar at the top, set the tolerance. Start with a lower value (like 20-30) and increase if needed. Experiment to find what works best for your image.
4. Click to Select: Click on the background area you want to remove. The tool will select a range of similar colors.
5. Refine the Selection: If the selection isn't perfect, use the Shift key to add to the selection. Use the Alt/Option key to subtract from the selection. You can also use the "Add to Selection" and "Subtract from Selection" options in the options bar.
6. Delete or Mask: Press the Delete key to remove the background, or create a layer mask by clicking the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. This allows for non-destructive editing.
7. Refine the Edges: After deleting or masking, go to Select > Modify > Feather to soften the edges. Experiment with the feather radius.

Note: The Magic Wand works best for backgrounds with a distinct color difference from the subject. It might struggle with complex backgrounds or subjects with similar colors to the background. Therefore, you may not always obtain great results with this tool.

The Quick Selection Tool: For More Complex Edges

Let’s move on to the Quick Selection Tool in Photoshop 2018. It’s like a smart paintbrush that automatically detects edges. This is an awesome tool for backgrounds that are more complex and for subjects that don't have a solid color. This tool can detect the edges of your subject, and this makes selection easier. The Quick Selection Tool can be found in the toolbar, usually grouped with the Magic Wand Tool. To use this, you click and drag over the area you want to select. Photoshop automatically detects and selects the edges of the subject. You can adjust the brush size to get more precise selections, and the tool is very versatile. It works well with subjects that have a bit more detail. It works great for things like hair or fur, where the Magic Wand might struggle.

How to Use the Quick Selection Tool

Let's break down how to use the Quick Selection Tool to remove backgrounds:

1. Open Your Image: Open your image in Photoshop 2018.
2. Select the Quick Selection Tool: Find it in the toolbar.
3. Adjust the Brush Size: In the options bar, adjust the brush size to fit the details you're working with. Smaller brushes are better for finer details.
4. Paint to Select: Click and drag over the subject you want to select. The tool will automatically detect the edges.
5. Refine the Selection: If you selected too much or too little, use the Add to Selection (plus sign) or Subtract from Selection (minus sign) options in the options bar. You can also hold down Shift to add and Alt/Option to subtract as you paint.
6. Refine the Edges (Important!): After selecting, click the "Select and Mask" button in the options bar. This opens a dedicated workspace for refining selections. Here, you can soften edges, adjust the radius, and clean up the selection. This step is critical for a professional look.
7. Output Settings: In the "Select and Mask" workspace, choose your output settings (e.g., "New Layer with Layer Mask") and click OK.

Tip: Regularly zoom in to check your selection and refine as needed. The Quick Selection Tool is a real time saver. Still, it might require some patience to get perfect results.

The Pen Tool: Precision at its Finest

For those who need precise background removal in Photoshop 2018, the Pen Tool is your go-to. This is the most accurate, but also the most time-consuming, method. The Pen Tool allows you to create vector paths around your subject with incredible detail. It is perfect for complex shapes, sharp edges, and any time you need pixel-perfect precision. Located in the toolbar, the Pen Tool works by creating anchor points and connecting lines (paths) to form a selection. Using the Pen Tool correctly takes some practice. However, the results are worth it for professional-looking edits. It is like drawing with digital lines, giving you complete control over your selection.

Pen Tool Workflow

Let's walk through how to use the Pen Tool for background removal:

1. Open Your Image: Open your image in Photoshop 2018.
2. Select the Pen Tool: Find the Pen Tool in the toolbar.
3. Create a Path: Click around the edges of your subject to create anchor points. Click and drag to create curved lines.
4. Refine the Path: Adjust the anchor points and handles (the lines that control the curves) to precisely follow the subject's edges.
5. Close the Path: Close the path by clicking on the first anchor point. This completes the selection.
6. Convert to Selection: Right-click on the path and choose "Make Selection." Adjust the feather radius if needed.
7. Create a Mask: After making the selection, add a layer mask by clicking the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
8. Refine the Mask: Use the Brush Tool to paint in black (to hide) or white (to reveal) areas of the mask to fine-tune the selection.

Tips for Pen Tool Mastery: Zoom in closely to get the best accuracy. Use the Ctrl/Cmd key to temporarily activate the Direct Selection Tool to adjust individual anchor points. Practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if it takes some time to master the Pen Tool. The results will be impressive.

Refine Edge and Layer Masks: Finishing Touches

Okay, now that you've got your selection, how do you make it look pro? This is where Refine Edge and Layer Masks in Photoshop 2018 come into play. Even with the best selection tool, you'll often need to fine-tune the edges of your selection. This is to remove any unwanted background elements and to make the transition between the subject and the new background smooth. The "Refine Edge" feature is a powerful tool in Photoshop. It smooths out harsh edges and helps blend the subject seamlessly into its new environment.

How to Refine Edges and Use Layer Masks

1. After Selection (Quick Selection Tool, etc.): After creating your initial selection with any of the tools above (Magic Wand, Quick Selection, Pen Tool), click on the "Select and Mask" button in the options bar. If you’ve already created a layer mask, skip this step.
2. Smooth: In the "Select and Mask" workspace, adjust the "Smooth" slider. This smooths out rough edges.
3. Feather: Use the "Feather" slider to soften the edges, creating a gradual transition. The right amount of feather can make a big difference.
4. Contrast: Adjust the "Contrast" slider to sharpen or soften the edges. It helps with details.
5. Shift Edge: Use the "Shift Edge" slider to slightly expand or contract the selection. This can help with removing fringing.
6. Clean Up with Brush Tool (Optional): Click the "Brush Tool" (inside the Select and Mask workspace). Then, paint over any remaining background areas with black or reveal parts of the subject with white.
7. Output Settings: Choose your output settings (e.g., "New Layer with Layer Mask") and click OK. This applies the mask non-destructively.

Layer Masks are Key: Once you have a layer mask, you can further refine it by painting on the mask itself. Use a black brush to hide areas, a white brush to reveal areas, and a gray brush for partial transparency. Layer masks are non-destructive and allow for easy adjustments. Practice and patience are essential. You'll achieve cleaner, more professional-looking results every time.

Advanced Techniques and Tips

Want to level up your background removal skills in Photoshop 2018? Here are some advanced techniques and tips that will help you achieve even better results:

Using Channels

Channels are a powerful, often-overlooked feature for background removal. They are especially useful for images with complex lighting or tricky backgrounds. Each image has color channels (Red, Green, Blue) that store grayscale information about the colors. One of these channels will often have the most contrast between your subject and the background. To use channels, go to the Channels panel (Window > Channels). Select the channel with the most contrast. Duplicate the channel (drag it to the new layer icon at the bottom of the Channels panel). Then, use levels or curves to increase the contrast. This makes the background pure black and the subject pure white. Use the Brush Tool to paint out any unwanted areas or refine the edges. Load the channel as a selection by Ctrl/Cmd-clicking on the channel thumbnail. Create a layer mask. This is a very effective technique for images with challenging lighting or backgrounds.

Color Range Selection

The Color Range selection tool allows you to select areas based on their color. This tool can be found under the Select menu. It is very handy when the background has a consistent color or a very narrow range of colors. Go to Select > Color Range. Use the eyedropper tool to click on the background color you want to select. Adjust the "Fuzziness" slider to control the range of colors selected. Refine your selection as needed, then create a layer mask. This is useful for backgrounds with a consistent color, such as a plain wall or a colored backdrop. Experiment with different colors and settings to get the best results.

Masking Hair and Fur

Removing the background from images with hair or fur can be tricky. However, there are techniques that can help. The "Select and Mask" workspace has tools specifically designed for this purpose. Use the "Refine Edge Brush" tool to paint over the areas with hair or fur. Photoshop will automatically try to detect and preserve those details. Experiment with the "Smooth," "Feather," and "Contrast" sliders in the "Select and Mask" workspace. You may also need to manually clean up the edges with a regular brush. This will help remove any remaining background and blend the hair with the new background.

Non-Destructive Editing

Always work non-destructively. This means using layer masks instead of deleting pixels. Layer masks allow you to make changes without permanently altering the original image. If you make a mistake, you can always go back and refine the mask. Non-destructive editing gives you more flexibility and control over your image editing workflow. Therefore, it is important to always use layer masks and other non-destructive techniques.

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect!

There you have it, guys! We've covered a bunch of methods for removing backgrounds in Photoshop 2018. From the quick and easy Magic Wand to the precise Pen Tool, and some awesome advanced techniques. Remember, the key to success is practice. The more you work with these tools, the better you'll become at selecting subjects and removing backgrounds. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and settings. Each image is different, so what works for one may not work for another. The best way to learn is to practice and to try different approaches. Keep at it, and you'll be amazed at the results you can achieve. Also, always remember to save your work, and have fun while you're at it! Happy editing!