Learn how to digitally remove a subject from a background using advanced techniques in this comprehensive tutorial. The focus is on the meticulous process of isolating a hiker from a nature scene, which can then be applied to any preferred image manipulation software.
Key Insights
- The tutorial starts with the opening of a specified image file where the subject to be removed is a hiker amidst a nature background. The goal is to isolate the hiker in such a way that he can be placed in different locations.
- The process begins by creating a new layer from the background image, which is then locked and hidden. The first step to removing the hiker from the background is adding a mask, which allows selective modification of the image.
- The tutorial emphasizes the importance of taking time to meticulously work on individual parts of the subject, in this case, the hiker's clothing. Using a variety of tools and techniques, including the quick selection tool and polygonal lasso tool, the subject is gradually and carefully removed from the background.
Note: These materials offer prospective students a preview of how our classes are structured. Students enrolled in this course will receive access to the full set of materials, including video lectures, project-based assignments, and instructor feedback.
In this video, we're going to be removing a hiker from the background of nature. Let’s start by opening our file.
We'll go to File > Open, and for this video, we'll open our 'Hiker on Path JPEG' image and click Open. As we can see, we have a hiker out in the middle of nature. Our goal is to remove just the hiker from the background so we can place him in additional locations. Let’s get started.
We’ll first create a new layer from our background image, name it 'Hiker Removed, ' and hit ENTER. Next, with the background, double-click it and type 'Hiker Original, ' then hit ENTER.
Finally, we’ll lock this image, hide it, and save our work.
Go to File > Save As, and save this as 'PTC Banner 3, ' then click Save and OK.
We’re ready to begin removing the hiker from the background. The first thing we’ll do is add a mask.
We’ll go to the bottom of our Layers panel and add a mask.
As we remember from our construction worker who was changed to color, we’ll add black to this image to remove the background. Since we don’t have a layer below, the image will be transparent, as shown by the checkerboard background.
Let’s zoom in.
We’ll start by working on the pants of our hiker. We’ll use the Quick Selection Tool and create a brush size of about 50 pixels.
Next, we’ll click and drag over the jeans, starting with the left leg, and zoom in to make sure we capture all the details.
We can see that this is a pretty good line.
The one exception is a little bit on the right-hand side, and some of the ground is sticking through to the left of his leg.
I could click here and add it to our selection, or we can use multiple tools to refine the selection. In this case, I’ll switch to the Polygonal Lasso Tool and go to the top to select 'Add to Selection.'
Now, when we create a selection with the Polygonal Lasso Tool, I’ll click a few points, close it off, and this section will be added to our selection.
We’ll then right-click the selection, click Fill, and fill it with black to remove it.
We’ll click OK, and we’ll see that we now have a transparent mask where that part of the image has been removed.
Let’s continue and begin working on the jacket.
Again, my preference is to use the Quick Selection Tool. However, each artist will have their own preference, so feel free to use whichever tool you prefer.
I’ll hit CTRL D to deselect the previous selection, then I’ll start working my way up the jacket, using ALT to subtract from the selection.
This is a pretty good line here.
Additionally, I think his sleeve runs to about here, so I’ll hit ALT and remove parts of the elbow.
We’ll then also remove part of the jacket here.
We’ve created a good section here as well. Looking at the thumbnail, we’ll select the mask, right-click, click Fill, and hit ENTER. Then we’ll continue working up.
I’ll hit CTRL D to deselect, then remove part of the elbow here.
We do want some of that, and I’ll keep working up the arm.
As we can see, this will be quite a process, so don’t be afraid to take your time and make sure you hit all the necessary lines.
Scroll up to part of the jacket here, and when you feel like you’ve got a solid, consistent line, right-click, hit Fill, and hit ENTER.
This looks good; let’s keep moving up.
I missed part of the jacket here, so I’m going to hit CTRL D to deselect.
I’ll use the Polygonal Lasso Tool and create my own lines, which can sometimes be tough to reach.
I’ll close it off when we have the circle to the right of the icon. Now, let’s continue adding to our selection with the Quick Selection Tool.
I’ll drag to the top, and this looks like a good line against the hood.
I’ll drag to the right, and we’ll want to take care of this ear on the right-hand side.
Again, I’ll use the Polygonal Lasso Tool. We’ll click and make a shape until we close it off, seeing the circle on the bottom-right side.
Also, add this pixel in the bottom-right corner, and fill our selection by right-clicking, clicking Fill, and OK.
This seems like a good stopping point for now, so let’s pause and save our work using CTRL S on the keyboard. In the next video, we’ll continue.