Scribd
Upload
119 views

Using Layer Masks To Remove Backgrounds With Photoshop CS5 and CS6

The document provides instructions for using layer masks in Photoshop to remove backgrounds from images in a non-destructive way. It explains that layer masks control the transparency of image layers, with black making areas transparent and white revealing the image. The tutorial walks through opening images, creating a layer mask, using brushes to paint with black and white to remove and restore parts of an image, and combining multiple images into a composite scene using additional layer masks. Readers are then instructed to create their own composite image using a minimum of 4 images and layer masks.

Uploaded by

Idos Akmal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
119 views

Using Layer Masks To Remove Backgrounds With Photoshop CS5 and CS6

The document provides instructions for using layer masks in Photoshop to remove backgrounds from images in a non-destructive way. It explains that layer masks control the transparency of image layers, with black making areas transparent and white revealing the image. The tutorial walks through opening images, creating a layer mask, using brushes to paint with black and white to remove and restore parts of an image, and combining multiple images into a composite scene using additional layer masks. Readers are then instructed to create their own composite image using a minimum of 4 images and layer masks.

Uploaded by

Idos Akmal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Using layer masks to remove

backgrounds with Photoshop CS5 and


CS6

Use layer masks


to combine
these pictures
into this

You will learn:

1. Layers and layer masks


2. Brushes
3. Layer styles
4. Type tool
5. Eyedropper tool
The basics of layer masks used to remove backgrounds with Photoshop CS5 and CS6
We all get used to using the erasers to remove parts of an image we don’t want; the magic eraser is especially fun to use. But, the
erasers can only be used in certain situations. Using the eraser is a destructive process with Photoshop which means we are getting rid
of the pixels in our image we are erasing.

In this tutorial you are going to look at one of the most essential features in all of Photoshop – layer masks. Using layer masks is a non-
destructive process because the pixels we are trying to remove are not being destroyed, as you will see the pixels are still there even
if we can’t see them and we can bring them back!

We willl cover what layer masks are in this tutorial, how layer masks work, and why you might want to use a layer mask. Some people
think using layer masks is difficult but if you can tell the difference between black and white and can paint with Photoshop’s Brush
Tool, you already have all the skills you need.

Essentially what a layer mask does is control the transparency of a layer. When you color parts of a layer with black the transparency
will be set to 0%, or you can think of it as 100% transparent. When you use white, it will be 100% visible, and using shades of grey will
change it somewhere in between. Setting the transparency to 0% will hide (or masks) the image. Setting the transparency to 100%
shows (or reveals) the full image. The lighter the shade of gray, the closer it is to white and the less transparent that area of the layer
will be. The darker the shade of gray, the closer it is to black and the more transparent that area will be.

This is the best way to remove backgrounds or make items transparent with Photoshop. If you have used the Opacity option you
notice the whole layer becomes transparent at once, but with layer masks only some parts become transparent. Follow the step-by-
step tutorial to start learning about layer masks. There is a fun project for you once you are finished with the tutorial… HAVE FUN! It
will make more sense as you start doing it.
First thing we have to do is open some
pictures in Photoshop. Your instructor has
three pictures you will use for this exercise.
Turn on Photoshop CS5 or CS6 by double-
clicking your desktop icon or simply clicking
on your Start menu icon.
What I like to do is open up my background
picture first. Click on File then Open.

Find the image called giza.jpg per your


teacher’s instructions. Double-click the file to
open it in Photoshop.
So now our background is open. Now we will
make a duplicate of the background layer.

Right-click on the background layer and


choose Duplicate.

You will work on on the top duplicate layer


leaving the bottom layer intact in case you
need the original file again. Click on OK in
the window that pops up to create the
duplicate layer.
We will apply our first layer mask. With the
top layer selected, click the "add layer mask"
button. It looks like a square with a circle
inside.
2. You will see
There is the layer mask. It is set to reveal all this
of the image since it is all white, meaning
that the mask is off and nothing is hidden (it 1. Click here
is revealing everything!)

Click on the eye icon next to the Background


layer to turn that layer off.
Press “D” on your keyboard to make sure the
colors are in default: white foreground and
black background. Now press “X” to make
black the foreground color.

Default colors
Press X to
switch colors

Select the brush tool from the


toolbar.
(select a soft brush, a blurry one).

Soft brushes are blurry


Move your brush to your picture so we can
check the size. You can use the brackets on
the keyboard to change the brush size: [ for
smaller and ] for a larger brush size.

Use the brackets to


change the brush size.
[ or ]

Make sure black is still the foregound color


and start painting over the sky. You will see a
checkered background where you color with
black, it means you have made that part of
the image transparent. If it’s not transparent,
did you click on the eye icon in the
background layer?
Now look at what I did. I accidentally erased
part of the face and sand. I want to keep
though. With layer masks we can bring back
parts of the layer that are erased because
they are not really erased, they were not
destroyed, they are just hidden!
So now we want to bring back the sand and
part of the face. No problem. Layer masks
are not destructive so just change the color
to WHITE, click on the X to switch the colors.
Nowpaint over the parts we want to keep
and they will magically reappear. If you had
erased with an eraser you wouldn’t have
been able to bring those parts of the layer
you needed so easily.

The face and sand


are back!

Now you see you don’t have to be perfect,


just adjust the brush size when needed, and
switch between black and white to fix your
mistakes.

After you have quickly erased everything that


is not needed just zoom way in and with a
small brush just fix up the edges so they look
good. Make your Giza look like this.
Now we will add our picture of clouds. Click
on File, then Place and double-click on the
clouds picture.

2. Double-click
on clouds.

Click on
Place

Extend the clouds picture so it fills up the


entire picture. Press Enter when you are
finished.
Now drag the clouds layer under the
Background copy layer with the layer mask.

It should look like this now.


Last step now is to add our camel face. Click
on the top layer.

Click on File, then Place and double-click on


the camel picture.

Move the picture towards the left side and


make it a little smaller so the camel doesn’t
cover up the Giza.
It should look like so.

With the camel layer selected, click the "add


layer mask" button. It looks like a square
with a circle inside.

Use the brush tool with a black foreground


color to start removing the background from
the camel.
We want to make a rounded rectangle that
matches the color of the Giza Sphinx to add
Eyedropper
some text to. To choose the color we need tool
to use the eyedropper too. Choose the
eyedropper tool.

Now click on the Sphinx and you will see the


color circle pop up with the color you clicked
on showing.

Now we will add a shape to add text inside


for our picture.

Right-click on the rectangle tool and choose


the rounded rectangle tool.
Draw the rounded rectangle on the left side
of the image, we will add text inside the
shape.

We want our shape to stand out so we will


add a drop shadow.

Click on the Add layer style button, it has an


fx on it. A menu opens, choose the drop
shadow option.
When the layer style dialog box pops up
change the settings to what you see in the
image to the right.

Then press OK.

Time to add our text inside the shape now.


Click on the Horizontal Type Tool.

Change the type options to the size, font, and


color you want. We are choosing Palatino
Linotype, 30 pt, color white, centered..
Click inside the rounded rectangle and copy
the text you see.
Our text needs something to stand out a little
more. Let’s add a drop shadow to make the
text a bit more visible.

Click on the layer styles button again and


choose drop shadow. Make sure you are still
clicking on the text layer.

Go ahead and click on Outer Glow also.

Press OK and view your finished image.


Save your image as a JPEG and submit to your teacher.
Practicing with layer masks in Photoshop
Now that you have practiced using the layer
masks it's time to use your imagination. You
will create scenery with at least four images
of your choosing.

For example, you can get a picture of a city


and add in four giant dinosaurs. Use the
layer masks to remove the backgrounds
necessary. Use these settings to start your
image:
Your image should include all of the
following:
1. A background
2. 4 pictures of your choosing with the
backgrounds removed using layer
masks
3. The original pictures you used before
you applied the layer masks.
4. Save the picture as
lastname_layer_mask.jpg and submit
it to me at ustudy.org

What I need to see is your original pictures


as well as your final pictures so make it look
something like this:

You might also like