BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Debby A. Tabb

HELP!! HOW TO REMOVE OR CHANGE A BACKROUND

YOU GUYS HELPED ME SO MUCH THE LAST TIME- HERE WE GO AGAIN!
I CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE A SUBJECT AND REMOVE THE BACK GROUND.
OR CHANGE THE BACKGROUND.
SUCH AS IN ALL THOSE WONDERFUL FLOWER SHOTS THAT END UP ON BLACK BACK GROUNDS OR KIDS IN FAIRY TREES ETC.
CAN SOME OF YOU HELP?
I HAVE PS 7.0.
THANK YOU

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August 03, 2005

Liza M. Franco

Hi Debby,

I use PS7 too so this should be easy.

First step is to make a duplicate copy by going to Image>Duplicate. Close your original. At the top of your screen go to Window>Layers and click to make a check mark next to Layers. This will open up a window that will allow you to see what layer you are working on. Go to Layers at the top of your screen and click duplicate Layer. Go to your magnetic lasso tool (second from the top on the left side)Left click on it and hold until the side window pops up and make sure you choose the magnetic lasso. Across the top of your screen you will see an option "Feather" I usually keep mine set between 3 and 5.

Left click on your subject and start going around your image, continue until you get back to where you started. Once there is a continuous lassoed selection your selected area will have a lasso that looks like marching ants.

Go to the top of your screen and click Select>Inverse. This selects your background. Click Delete and it will remove your background.

Drag the background you want onto your image. You could also copy and paste it instead of dragging. If your new background now covers your subject, go to the layers window and click on your subject and drag it straight up to place that layer above the background. This can also be done by going to the top of the screen and going to Layer>Arrange>Bring to front. You'll find that there is usually more than one way to do a lot of the steps involved with PS, you just have to find what works best for you.

If you should decide you just want a plain black layer, go to your tools and make sure that your color swatch appears as a black one on top and white on the bottom. Go to Layer>New this will create a blank layer. Next click Alt & Backspace at the same time. This will make a black layer. Arrange your layers if necessary.

Once you are satisfied you can flatten your image to combine all your layers by going to Layer>Flatten Image. If you are printing on your own printer, you don't have to flatten it. Unflattened leaves the option open to change the background again if you choose. However for those who read this and are burning an image to cd to have printed at a lab, most labs need to have a flattened image to work with.

Hope this helps. Debby you know you can always email me if you get stuck. I tried to be thorough with the instructions and actually do one as I typed so that I didn't leave out any steps.

Let me know how it goes.

Liza

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August 03, 2005

Liza M. Franco

Just another thought here. For anyone looking to do really fun stuff with their photos, look for books by Scott Kelby. I have two and have had a ball with them.

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August 03, 2005

Debby A. Tabb

LIZA,
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
I WILL GIVE THIS A SHOT AND POST BACK.
I AM STILL EDITING THE PITURES FROM THE QUINCEANERA - AND WHERE THEY CHOSE TO DO THE WALTZ WAS ON THE BACK PORCH- THERE ARE SOME HEAD SHOT FO HER AND DAD DANCEING TOGETHER WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FACES(MAN YOU CAN SEE THE LOVE AND PRIDE) BUT BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THERE IS A BIG UGLY SLIDING GLASS DOOR-I NEED TO DO SOMETHING.
YOU WENT THROUGH A LOT , WALKING THROUGH THE PROGRAM , TO GET THIS INFO FOR ME.
THANK YOU AGAIN,
DEBBY