Removing background from images

[Alex Ross]

Hi,

I am designing a catalog however the photos have a background, for
example the pictures are of shoes but i can see the table the shoe is
sitting on and the background behind the shoe, is there a way to cut
the shoes out in Photoshop so the background is removed?

Thanks

[Dave.Cox]

Yes, It is pretty easy to do, and several methods to do what you ask. I recommend that you learn the selection methods in photoshop. Some of the simple tools include the quick selection tool, and the magic wand. For more complicated selection learning the pen tool is essential.

Feel free to view my tutorial on the pen tool at
http://davesdfr.com/Media/PenTool2.htm

[Marthig]

I also use sometimes the "Layer Mask" option, I find it suitable for getting smooth edges in the image I want to "cut out"
Or maybe a combination of the suggestions by Dave and the mask I proposed.
Good luck

[Dave.Cox]

Hi Marthig. Good point! Once you make the selection you need to be able to do something with it. You can either use a layer mask to hide the back ground, assuming that your current layer is not the background layer, or you can copy the cut out image to a new layer, and hide the bottom layer. Depending on what you want to do, both are good methods.

To use Use Marthig's method, copy the entire image to a new layer. (Pressing Ctrl J or Cmd J will do this.) Make your selection. Click on Add Layer Mask at the bottom of the layers pallet. The will add a layer mask, hiding the part that you don't want.

To use the copy method, Make your selection, right click on the selection, and select layer via copy.

Both methods have there advantages. The first is easier to make adjustments to the final selection by painting on the layer mask. The second method is better if you are going to drag the result into another image.

[manolocs]

Hi Dave, your link http://davesdfr.com/Media/PenTool2.htm is not working anymore?
where can I find how to select a person in a pic to change the background color?
Tks a lot....