In Photoshop, you can work with any image and make the best out of it! Are you thinking about how to transform the background color of an image in Photoshop? Keep reading to find out!
Understanding Background Color in Photoshop
The color of the backdrop in the image contributes to the mood, shifting focus, and highlighting your designs. Changing the background color is a basic Photoshop technique that replaces the underlying color with a new one and ‘blending’ with the subject.
Method 1: Using the Fill Layer to Change Background Color
One of the easiest techniques to apply when modifying the background color in Photoshop is the use of a Fill Layer. This method is most effective if you are dealing with a simple background or if the object or the person of interest is simple to ‘cutout’ from the image.
Step-by-Step Background Tutorial:
- Open Your Document:
Begin by getting your image to the open window of Photoshop. From our menu bar, under File, click on Open and select the document that you wish to modify.
- Select the Background:
Use the selection tool and choose Polygonal Lasso or Magnetic Lasso. The Polygonal Lasso tool is best for selecting with straight lines. Want automatic edge selection? Get the Magnetic Lasso tool!
- Create a New Fill Layer:
After that, try to fill in the missing spot, open the Layers Panel, Icon at the bottom, and choose Solid Color of New Fill or Adjustment Layer. This creates a new fill layer above your background layer.
Choose the new background color from the color picker that appears. Click OK to apply the color.
- Refine the Selection with Layer Masks:
To ensure a clean transition between the subject and the new background color, use a Layer Mask. Click on the mask thumbnail in the Layers Panel and it will activate!
Use the Brush Tool with a soft edge to paint over areas where the background and foreground meet. This will refine the edges and make sure the color change looks natural!
- Adjust Opacity:
If the new back color is too strong, reduce the Opacity of the fill layer so that it creates less impact. Find the slider at the top of the Layers Panel to adjust the opacity.
Method 2: Changing Background Color with the Brush Tool
The Brush Tool provides a more hands-on approach to changing the background color –
Step-by-Step Background Tutorial:
- Duplicate the Background Layer:
In the Layers Panel, you have to right-click the background layer. Then click on the option that is labeled as Duplicate Layer. So,you can do an edit on the same image again in the future!
- Select the Subject:
To perform this step use the Quick Selection Tool or Polygonal Lasso Tool depending on the shape of your subject. After selecting the subject press CTRL + J to use the subject and paste it in the new layer.
- Create a New Layer for the Background Color:
Click on the New Layer icon in the Layers Panel. This will create a blank layer beneath your subject layer. Fill this new layer with your desired background color using the Fill Function. You can also try the Paint Bucket Tool!
- Use the Brush Tool for Refinements:
Select the Brush Tool and set a soft brush tip. Paint over any areas where the new background color needs refining or where the subject needs more definition. Adjust the Opacity of the brush for more subtle blending.
- Fine-Tune with Layer Masks:
Add a Layer Mask to the subject layer. Use a black brush to hide areas of the subject layer, revealing the new background color underneath. This is particularly useful for fine hair or intricate details.
Method 3: Using the Background Eraser Tool
The Background Eraser Tool is another effective method for changing the background color. Here’s how to use it –
Step-by-Step Background Tutorial:
- Prepare Your Image:
Open your image and create a duplicate of the background layer. This protects your original image and allows for non-destructive editing.
- Select the Background Eraser Tool:
From the toolbar, select the Background Eraser Tool (found under the Eraser tool). Adjust the brush size and set the Sampling to Continuous in the options bar.
- Erase the Background:
Carefully erase the background around your subject. The Background Eraser Tool will sample the color beneath the crosshair and erase it, leaving the subject untouched.
- Fill with New Background Color:
Once the background is erased, add a new layer beneath your subject and fill it with your desired color using the Fill Function or Paint Bucket Tool.
- Adjust Edges and Opacity:
If needed, refine the edges using the Brush Tool and adjust the opacity of the new background layer to achieve the desired look.
Advanced Techniques for Changing Background Color
For more advanced users, Photoshop offers additional tools and features for changing background colors. These methods provide greater control and allow for more creative variations.
Using Adjustment Layers and Layer Masks
- Create an Adjustment Layer:
Start by opening the Adjustments panel and add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer. Now you can adjust the color of the entire image or specific elements!
- Apply a Layer Mask:
Open up the adjustments panel and make a new Hue/Saturation adjustment. This layer will help you change the overall color of the image you produced or of certain items.
- Adjust Hue and Saturation:
Adjust the Hue/Saturation to alter the background color. To adjust the background color there’s the option of Lightness which allows the user to increase or decrease the brightness of the color.
- Fine-Tune with Opacity and Blend Modes:
Change the Opacity of the adjustment layer to make the color shift less noticeable. Try with other modes of blend and see the outstanding results which can be got.
Exporting Your Edited Image
If you have altered the background color of the picture, you can also save it for use in other applications such as Illustrator, Audition, and Acrobat. Photoshop has several export choices for users, depending on the requirements they may have.
- Export as JPEG or PNG:
Click on File on the top left corner here and then navigate to Export > Export As. Select JPEG or PNG as the format to use based on the user’s preference. PNG is best used for images with cutouts or transparency while JPEG is best used for images with a background.
- Save for Web:
To save images for web use, go to file and then export/save for Web. This option enables you to optimize your image for the web by setting quality, dimensions, and file size.
- Export to PDF:
If you wish to export your image to a PDF format say you want to print it, go to File > Save As and choose Photoshop PDF from the toolbar.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting the background color in Photoshop is very important as it can enhance your pictures and give them a new look. Follow these easy steps and excel as a beginner!