Have a great photo but don’t like the background? Change it! With a little patience and practice, a pair of images and an image editing program that offers layers you can.
This is a basic tutorial, which works best when backgrounds are fairly simple and the edges of a subject are relatively well-defined. Below you’ll find a summary of more advanced techniques, as well as links to related tutorials.
Before
After
Changing the background of a digital image
- Open your image and then click on an edge selection tool such as the Magnetic Lasso found in programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Elements.
- Carefully outline the edges of the subject. You may have to use the add and subtract icon to get a more precise outline.
- After the image is selected, inverse the selection. Select > Inverse.
- Next, open the image you plan to use for the background — in this illustration, a beach shoreline. The image will open in a new window.
- Select all, then Copy. Select menu > All
- Edit menu > Copy. The sunset image will be placed on the clipboard.
- Make the first window active by clicking on it; then use the paste into menu to place the clipboard image into the selected area. Edit > Paste into.
- If desired, move the image around with the Move tool selected until the background image is place as you like it.
- Save image layers as a JPEG file.
Other methods to extract an object from its background
Those who process their photos with editing programs such as Photoshop can use more advanced techniques and tools to remove a background. These techniques may require a lot of time and skill, but the results are very effective for photos with more complex backgrounds, or where precision is a priority. The tools include:
The Magic Eraser
The Magic Eraser tool erases pixels of a particular color by making them trasparent. A high Tolerance setting will erase a broad range of color values. Only similar color values to the pixel you click will be erased when the Tolerance setting is set low. Click, don’t drag, your mouse cursor when using this tool. [Magic Eraser tutorial]
Quick Mask Mode
In Quick Mask Mode use tools such as the paint brush and eraser to paint over every detail in the image that you don’t want. You can also use selection tools, then fill the selection. When you switch back to Standard Mode, every area that has been painted or filled will be removed. [Quick Mask Mode tutorial]
Extract Filter
A more sophisticated way to isolate a foreground object is to use the Extract filter, which allows you to extract an object from its background by drawing an outline around it that also overlaps the background. The Extract filter works best when you zoom in on an object.
Hi, I need help changing a background on one of my digital pics? How do I do it if I don’t have a photoshop program? Thanks!
Man Thankyou so much!! I really appreciate you taking the time to help all us noobs!
Sorry for the delay in responding, Annie. You can use a program such as Photoshop Elements or PaintShop Pro. However, if you don’t want to buy a program, there are a few free photo editing programs that support layers such as Paint.NET and PhotoPlus. You will have to learn how to use the selection too. You may want to download and try some of the free programs listed here > You may want to check out our basic tutorial about using layers.
Thanks a lot, it really solve my one of big problem i am new in graphics but i am able to do this.
Thanks
God Bless You..
hello i need to change one of my background pictures i need help please tell me the easy way thanks a lot…help me please
You need to give more information about the type of background you need to remove from you photo. Are there clearly defined edges? Is the background complicated?
Hi!…would give me some recommendations on what kind of program am I going to buy that has the capability of changing picture background?
Thank you!
There are three things you should look for in a program if you’re interested in changing the back ground of a photo. A program that offers layers, one that also has a Magic Wand and Lasso tool.
There are a few free programs that offer some of these tools. You can download and try them to see if they meet your needs.
Your best bet may to use a program like Photoshop CS or Photoshop Elements, which is more reasonably priced.
Paintshop Pro is another reasonably priced photo editing program with Layers and a variety of editing tools.
I never understood Photoshop until I read this! Thanks to you I’m doing great stuff with my pics! Thank you so much! Blessings.
Hi, I need help changing a background on one of my digital photos?
Thanks!
There are plenty of tutorials online that cover a wide variety of techniques to remove and change a background. To find one that better suits your needs do a web search for “tutorial for changing background of photo.”
hello, when I have a piece of red or ruby jewelry no matter if I’m outside or inside my reds come out black or dark, where should my lighting or settings be??? help
Pat, you didn’t mention what type of lighting you’re now using. You should try outside light, whether taking the photos inside or out. This article offers some suggestions that may be helpful. We offer more comprehensive tips in our ebook about photographing auction items, which only cost $3.95.
This made a lot of functions in photoshop easier. I was thinking of buyings of photokey elements to edit my pictures from trucking over the country. Chaning the backgrounds is onething i wanted to experiment with. Are you familiar with photokey 3 or is it unecessary with photoshop.
I mean does photokey offer any additional advabtages that photoshop wouldn’t?
Thanks for the time you put in this site.
The crazy trucker
Lifeasatrucker, I’m familiar with Photokey but have never used it. It seems best suited for studio shots as you need to photography your subjects against a blue or green background for it to work best. If you photograph your subjects against a plain or non-complex scene, the tools in photoshop should suffice for you needs. The more complex the background, the more complex the steps in photoshop. There are plenty of online video tutorials for extracting a subject from a complex background.
hi! i am able to change the background of my desired image but the background appears too small in size as compared to the previous one which in turn shows the previous background and a small background which i have changed lying in the middle of the image. How do i increase the size of my new background?
Hey there i was wondering if you could explain how this process works on paintshot pro?
is it the same?
Yes, Adrian. It’s a very similar process. There are plenty of tutorials online, such as this one.
You can try enlarging the background image, but it may become pixellated. In that case, get another background image.
pls suggest me some free best photo editors?
which have layers option and through which i can also change backgrounds
There are some free editing programs offering layers here.
Also consider buying Photoshop Elements. Not only does it have easy to use editing tools but there is a lot of online help and tutorials.
Hi , sorry but i didnt understand .
Do i have to download photoshop or something ?
I want to change the background of my pictures for over a year im looking and i found this site , Can you please explain to me what exactly should i do ?
Thank You
Hi again , Thanks so much i did it just one problem , it added but i want to make it bigger the background photo i want to resize it but i dont know how
Check the help files of the program you’re using about how to enlarge a file. When you enlarge an image, it is called resampling. If an image is resampled too much, image quality will be reduced. Finding and using a larger image as the background if often the better option.
This was a very simple and easy to use tutorial. Thanks it was very informative.
I am wanting to change the background on pictures and delete things such as shadows.
I have the negatives and the pictures. Should I scan the picture to a cd or the negative? I didnt know which would be better.
Thanks!
You will most likely get the best scans from the film. If the quality of the prints is good, they should be fine too.
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