Remove Objects from Photos in Photoshop - Tutorial
Dealing with Unwanted Guests in Your Photos
The perfect moment is captured: tripod is stable, the composition is aligned, and you're poised to take a memorable photograph. However, as the shutter clicks, an unexpected individual enters the scene. This is the common experience of being photobombed.
Occasionally, the intrusion is immediately apparent, allowing for a retake. More frequently, though, the unwanted element isn't noticed until the images are reviewed later.
Removing Photobombers and Objects with Photoshop
Instead of discarding a potentially excellent photograph due to an unwelcome presence, consider utilizing Photoshop to remove these distractions. This allows you to salvage otherwise great images.
Photoshop provides tools to effectively eliminate photobombers and other undesirable objects from the background of your pictures.
Let's explore how to utilize Photoshop's capabilities to address these issues and refine your photographs.
Utilizing Content-Aware Fill for Seamless Image Editing
Begin by opening the desired image within the Photoshop application. To safeguard the original image data, it is recommended to duplicate the background layer. This can be achieved by using the keyboard shortcut Control+J (or Command+J on macOS).
Next, select the Quick Select Tool from the Tools Panel. Alternatively, you can activate it using the keyboard shortcut W. Should the Magic Wand Tool be currently selected, press Shift+W to switch to the Quick Select Tool. This tool is designed to identify and select pixels similar to those in the area you designate.
Adjust the size of the tool’s brush tip using the [ and ] keys. Ensure the brush is slightly smaller than the object or person you intend to remove from the image. Then, click and drag the tool over the target area to initiate the selection process.
If the initial selection includes unwanted areas, hold down the Option key (on a PC, use Alt) and drag over those regions. This action will subtract them from the current selection, refining the chosen area.
Conversely, to add additional areas to the selection, hold down the Shift key while clicking on the desired regions. This expands the selection to encompass the newly clicked areas.
The Quick Select Tool doesn't always provide a perfect selection. To ensure the entire object is included, navigate to Select > Modify > Expand. Input a value of approximately 5 pixels to broaden the selection slightly beyond the tool’s initial boundaries.
Proceed to Edit > Fill, and from the Contents dropdown menu, choose Content-Aware. Confirm your selection by pressing OK. Photoshop will then analyze the surrounding pixels and attempt to intelligently fill the selected area.
The Content-Aware Fill tool incorporates a degree of randomness. If the initial result is unsatisfactory, undo the action using Control+Z (or Command+Z on macOS) and repeat the process. Multiple attempts are often necessary to achieve a desirable outcome.
Should certain areas of the fill appear acceptable while others require improvement, re-engage the Quick Select Tool and focus solely on the problematic regions. This iterative process can be repeated as many times as needed to refine the result. In some instances, achieving a satisfactory outcome may require up to 15 iterations, as demonstrated in the example image.
Photoshop’s automated removal capabilities have significantly improved over time. While they may not fully replicate the precision of manual editing, they offer a viable solution for cleaning up the majority of images. These tools perform optimally on backgrounds that are organic and varied; complex, repeating patterns or straight lines can pose challenges. However, they are often sufficient for social media applications.
The Sophisticated Approach: Utilizing the Clone Stamp Tool
Related: Understanding Layers and Masks within Photoshop?
While the Content-Aware feature offers a convenient solution, achieving truly seamless results necessitates employing the Clone Stamp tool directly. For instances where complete removal of a photobomber or unwanted background element is crucial, this method proves to be the most effective.
Proficiency in layers and layer masks is essential for successful implementation; therefore, reviewing our dedicated article on this subject is recommended if you are not already well-versed in these concepts.
Initiate the process by opening the desired image within Photoshop. Subsequently, create a new layer and activate the Clone Stamp tool from the Tools Panel – its corresponding keyboard shortcut is 'S'.
Ensure the 'Aligned' option is enabled and the 'Sample' setting is configured to 'Current & Below'.
The Clone Stamp functions by replicating pixels from one area of an image and applying them to another. It operates similarly to the Brush tool, but with the added capability of copying pixel data. This allows you to leverage existing image elements to cover and eliminate unwanted features.
Identify a region within your image that closely resembles the area you intend to cover the photobomber with. Press and hold the Alt key (or Option on a Mac) and click on this area to establish the Clone Stamp’s sampling point.
Using the sampled pixels, paint onto the new layer, creating a substantial patch to work with.
Activate the Move Tool (by pressing 'V' on your keyboard) and reposition the created patch over the target area. Initial imperfections in alignment are not a concern at this stage.
Apply a black mask to the layer by holding Alt and clicking the 'Add Layer Mask' button. This action will initially conceal the patch.
Subsequently, select the Brush tool. Opt for a Soft Round brush with a Flow setting of approximately 40%.
Adjust the brush size using the '[' and ']' keys, then paint with white over the object or person you are attempting to remove. This will reveal the patch selectively, only in the desired areas. Refine the mask with the Brush tool to ensure a seamless blend between the original image and the patch.
Complete removal often requires the application of multiple patches. In my case, removing the gnome photobomber necessitated the use of four separate patches. A time-lapse demonstration of this process is provided below.
Dedicate sufficient time to the process, and you will be capable of removing virtually any unwanted element.
The following comparison illustrates the differences between the two removal techniques. While Content-Aware provides acceptable results, the Clone Stamp demonstrably excels at maintaining the natural appearance of the surrounding structures.
The removal of unwanted individuals or objects from the backgrounds of photographs represents a frequently requested task within Photoshop. Automated methods can achieve reasonable outcomes, but for truly complete removal, manual intervention with the Clone Stamp tool remains the optimal approach.
Image Credits: HarshLight and Matthew Hurst.
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