How to Add a Colored Background to a Portrait

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How to Add a Colored Background to a Portrait it Photoshop
Add a splash of color to your photos by replacing the background. Learn how to quickly add a colored background to any portrait in Photoshop!

How to Cut Out the Subject
When cutting a subject out of their background, there are different techniques based on the complexity of the background. If the subject is photographed on a simple background similar to the image in this tutorial, simple selection tools like the Magic Wand Tool will work well.

For complex backgrounds, we recommend using the Pen Tool.

After making a rough selection of the subject in a photo, use the "Select and Mask" tool to refine the edge of the selection.

Add a Splash of Color to the Background
Once the subject is cut out from the background, the possibilities are endless. From here, you can add another photo as the background of a photo, or a simple colored background to simulate a studio photo.

To create a colored background, go to 'Layer - New Fill Layer' and choose a color. Place this layer below the layer with the subject and the new color will appear behind the subject.

To add a bit of realism, add a vignette to the borders of the photo. Go to 'Layer - New Adjustment Layer - Hue/Saturation' to create a Hue/Saturation. Lower the lightness and saturation then use the elliptical marquee selection tool to create a selection around the center of the image and fill the selection with black. To make the vignette more realistic, add a gaussian blur to the layer mask.

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[mydadsatycoon]

The photography community loves you phlearn. you built me who I am. and people love my work, thanks to you.

[gabbie]

I love this tutorial for many reasons. You didn't use shortcuts. That eliminates the extra verbiage that can sometimes be really confusing. You did it slowly and then you ran through it quickly. Thank you so much!

[redsand]

I'm a scale modeler(Gundam) I do commissions and clients always want the photo option and I post WIP's online for them. Man I've been going full manual and using a lightbox to get my white backgrounds like in my profile pic.
I can't tell u how happy I am that I found u! This is going to really up my photo game! Wow wow wow, this will cut down on so much time adjusting lighting and a million exposures to get that background white without over exposure.
Thank you again so excited for this!

[SouthHero]

Once again, a great tutorial. I particularly appreciate the tips that you provide for people who are using older versions of Photoshop. You are an outstanding teacher, Aaron!

[KRO_Builders]

The best Photoshop teacher you can find on Youtube!

[Sassa]

This was by far one of the best videos I've seen for photoshop, so many useful skills bundled into one video. THANKS!!

[kristen_]

this was so much fun to follow along having had no experience with photoshop and I already know so much more about it with just one video - and the bloopers are great

[MyStonerMind]

Why have I only just found this channel?! Great tips!
Subscribed.

[brebre]

Best tutorial yet and the model is gorgeous!

[sadesign]

There are no words to show my appreciation!

[kyalombithi]

Thanks very much Phlearn, you are a blessing to this world.

[abhaypanchal]

Thank You PHLearn...You guys are awesome... :)

[warapm]

This is the solution of many days of struggles Thank you Sir.

[delzdevofficial]

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[Emeraldedem]

I Love PHLearn... You guys have helped me alot..thanks

[MVEntGlobal]

thank you sooo much. very helpful. much love from Ghana, West Africa.

[BlackCrystals]

This channel is so helpful, a MASSIVE thank you to Aaron and the team at Phlearn, so grateful I came across this channel ★

Thanks Phlearn you are the best photoshop expert in Explaining the simple way to understand it,
Thank you

[pretin]

Loved This Tutorial ! I don't comment unless that's jaw dropping !! 😍😍😍

[FalharNomads]

I think after watching this episode my life will be going to become more relaxed when changing the background colour. Thanks