Cutting out an image in Photoshop

This is a fast-paced video on using channels and blend modes to create an accurate cutout. It's a variation on other techniques I've described.

FAQ:
Q: Doesn't CS5 do all of this with the refine mask dialogue?
A: Yes--and the results are even better. But, if you're not using Photoshop CS5...

Q: What if the background isn't all 1 color?
A: The technique still works, but you may have to make several copies of different channels and apply this technique multiple times to get all of the areas of your image. Bottom line--if there's color contrast, this technique is great, if there isn't, this might not be the best choice :D

Q: If I did use this method with several selection areas defined on different channels, how would I combine them into 1 selection?
A: The shift key is your friend. You click on a channel and press the Load as Selection button...then click on another channel, hold Shift on your keyboard, and press the Load as Selection button again. The second selection gets added to the first. Repeat as needed!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Photoshop
• manipulation
• cutout
• channels
• masks
• selection
• instructions
• photography
• graphics software
• tips & tricks
• tutorial

[chaoticshdwmonk]

This worked brilliantly for me a while ago but for some reason I can't get past 5:30 anymore :(

after I apply image and invert, I select brush on multiply and paint using white but nothing happens yet history shows me using the brush. If I do it in black it paints over everything but white does nothing.

Don't know if it makes a difference but I'm using a dup of the red channel.

[Stormingleech]

@chaoticshdwmonk From 04:50, change your paint mode to Overlay instead of Multiply, and you'll be all set. I used Multiply at the start to make all of the grey stuff darker, but once that step is done, I used the brush tool for detail work, and wanted to increase contrast--that's the overlay mode.

[donovanshanegreen]

how do u drop the layer?

[Stormingleech]

@donovanshanegreen To drop a new layer in beneath the currently selected layer, you press the ctrl key on your keyboard (Command key on Mac) and click on the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

The New Layer icon looks like a square notepad with one corner folded back. In this video, you can see the New Layer icon--it's in the lower right corner of the screen, second icon from the right in the bottom of the layers panel (next to the trash bin icon).

[JesusIsKindaGay]

Dude, it took you 10 minutes to get to a point that you could have gotten to with the 'magic wand' in about 1 second.

I thought this was going to be a tutorial on how to remove backgrounds CLEAN, where you don't have to go in and manually clean it up. Sorry, but this video is a waste of time.

[Stormingleech]

@JesusIsKindaGay :)  Thanks

[ivailoIO]

great vid, but I'll need help to cut an image that hasnt so big contrast

[48203416]

@JesusIsKindaGay I agree. Irratating

[MiszDutchessMusick]

-how did you do the Transparency thing??

[murdasquad64]

also your voice is annoying try not to song like such a nerdy douche

[murdasquad64]

i just wanna know how to cut out images

[lazzieboy111]

@Stormingleech thanks.. i think this tutorial is very good for removing the background of the hairs etc.. its always to learn somethings new and different. this is very useful thx

[derrick3313]

@JesusIsKindaGay dude, this video shows you how to do just that, if you follow all his steps and have a decent quality jpg image you can do what you want with it.