How to Remove Anything from a Photo in Photoshop

-200+ in-depth courses
-500+ LUTs, Presets, Actions, and Brushes.
-New content every week.
-Cancel anytime.

***

The Ultimate Guide to Removing Anything from Photos!:

We have all taken photos that were close to perfect except for some object in the background. If given the chance it is always better to remove that object in person, it will take much less time than doing it in Photoshop and will look more natural. Sometimes however that is not an option; either you didn't see it or were not able to move it.

That is where Photoshop comes in! In this episode we show you how to remove objects from your photos to make your subject stand out more.

Selections Are the Key to Removing Objects

Often times the objects you want to remove are behind other objects. In this episode we remove a trashcan and a street sign, both of which are behind a lamp post and a stone seat. In order to remove the objects from the background we have to make a selection that keeps the lamp post and stone seat from being affected.

To make this selection we use the Pen Tool. It is one of the more complicated tools to use in Photoshop but it is well worth learning because of how powerful it is.

If you want to learn more about compositing and using the Pen Tool be sure to check out our

Your Friend, the Clone Stamp Tool

After your selection is made it is time to use any tools available to build the background. If you are lucky there will be plenty of area to sample from that looks like the area you need to cover.

Start out using the Clone Stamp Tool, it will duplicate a sampled area and can do most of the job for you providing you have an area to sample.

Sometimes you will have to remove and object and that means creating something "behind" that object from scratch. This is where the brush tool comes in.

When All Else Fails, Use the Brush Tool

The brush tool is incredibly powerful and shouldn't be overlooked when creating a new background. it may not have as much detail as the Clone Stamp Tool but you are not limited to sampling areas.

With the brush tool you can "paint" anything you can think of, including the background over top of an object you want to remove. This may sound really hard but using color samples from the surrounding image and a little creativity you would be amazed at what you can do.

In this example we completely remove a trash can from the image and paint the building and the sidewalk in behind it.

VISIT PHLEARN.COM FOR MORE FREE TUTORIALS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL FOR MORE FREE TIPS AND TRICKS

GET FREE TUTORIALS IN YOUR EMAIL + DISCOUNTS ON OUR PRO TUTORIALS!

LET'S BE FRIENDS!

[BosticReiva]

I can finally remove my ex from all my pics. Thnks :D

[tracydababseh]

I really like your style of instructing and appreciate your professionalism. You made this PS technique a lot easier to learn by taking the time to explain each piece, not just click and do. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[CaseyFrazAnimations]

can I remove my crippling depression with photoshop?

[photoshoott]

Great technique. We have used it in many occasions and it is nice to see you do this and reconfirm that our choice was the best and easiest to do this type of fixes. Thank you for sharing your technique.

[DanskHyperGamingDK]

that girl is photoshopped into that picture xD

[DavidDewis]

I always find adding a bit of noise is a good way to add texture and blends with the photo very well if it matching the actual noise of the picture.

[kelspemeyer]

I like that your video is in the navigator panel because you are navigating us through the course.

[WadoRyu]

I'm a graphic designer and i work with photoshop since 1994, and this tutorial was made by a real photoshop pro. This is the best method.

[lfcorullon]

Awesome. I'm from Brazil, and I discovered your channel last week. You're the best Photoshop youtuber. Congratulations for your work. And thanks for sharing with us all your knowledge. I'm Phlearn fan.

[thanassisfournarakos]

I am a retired (2011) Pro Photographer born in 1946, in other words, I am an old timer analogue pro. Watching your tutorials I get the same feeling that I guess YOU get if you were watching ....Extraterrestrials delivering YOU a tutorial how to fly and maintain their But you know something? When there is a will, there is a way! YOU get in the cockpit, I will turn on my desk top, and I 'm sure we'll both make it!!!! Chin up! Thanassis Fournarakos, 72 years old, Athens, Greece, growing older, always learning (ΓΗΡΑΣΚΩ ΑΕΙ ΔΙΔΑΣΚΟΜΕΝΟΣ).

[barehandedbearhunter]

Thanks again for working on my photo. For everyones information, I was about 16 when I took this photo and was obviously very new to photography. I saved up and bought an Alien bee b800 on craigslist. I used it, as well as natural backlighting in this photo with my Canon T1i and 50mm 1.8. The ultimate beginner set up. Anyways, I actually removed two cars from this photo, and didn't even notice the trash can. I still love this photo because it was from my first "successful" photoshoots andI am grateful to Phlearn because over 3million people have seen it! or 1million people watched it 3 times, Idk. But thanks for everyone, and I am glad this photo is being used to teach photo peeps all over. -framedfinalboss Dezmen Young.

[adrianakuzmikova]

After watching some of those, I don't trust pictures anymore...

[NancyLangelthepup]

I have been working on learning Photoshop with other tutorials and books. After watching this video, I retained more info than ever before. He talks very fast but clearly; and my little brain understood what he was talking about. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[williamj.bagnall]

I teach this software and I know how difficult it can be to properly explain what it is you are doing as well as why you are doing it. This was a professional presentation. I have seen many where I cannot understand the instructor, because of talking to fast, lack of clear speech, and other verbal issues. Even though this video is a few years old and Photoshop has really grown a lot, the tips and advice are still good and valuable. Thanks for that. Well done.

[varunkamal]

wow man... that adding texture part was fresh learning

[Dragonspun]

I am new to Photoshop, having just gotten CS2 free from Adobe and I am amazed at what you can do with it! Thank you for sharing your learning videos. These are going to help me learn so much!

[kerenbanget]

TECHNOLOGY has changed so much that in today's Photoshop version you just need few clicks and it's done.. Mind blowing.

[brobinbraauw]

phlearn is amazing, i've been doing photoshop stuff for over 8 years+ but after a few videos i still learn some new handy tricks, thanks!

[shubsharma]

Thanks a lot Phlearn this kind of thing was the main problem I had difficulty in finding out how to solve. Even though it requires a number of steps, the outcome is totally worth it all. Thank you!

[pantsupirateold]

They should rename this to " How to become a wizard"