Replacing Backgrounds

[mrsammy]

When using Photofahop how do I remove the background and replace it with a solid color?

[Peru Bob]

One way:

Make a selection of the foreground, select inverse, delete.

Then fill with the bucket tool.

The method used may depend upon the image.

Can you post a screenshot?

[mrsammy]

[Conrad_C]

The approaches are different depending on the image. As the others say, it’s difficult to give you a good answer without seeing the image.

In short, you decide what it is about the background that makes it different than the foreground (tone? color? subject?…), pick the tool that isolates the background according to that (Select > Color Range? Object Selection Tool? A channel selection?), and use that tool to select the background. Then you can delete the background to transparency, and add a solid color layer behind it.

If you’re lucky enough that background is easy for Photoshop AI to identify; and you see the Remove Background button in the Contextual Task Bar or Properties panel, then you just click that.

[mrsammy]

Thank you for responding. I understand how to remove the background. My problem is how do I add a solid color? Here is an example of a photo I want to do this with.

[Peru Bob]

Please post an image with the background removed and a screenshot of the layers panel.

[Conrad_C]

I understand how to remove the background. My problem is how do I add a solid color? Here is an example of a photo I want to do this with.

By @mrsammy

It can be as simple as adding a Solid Color fill layer and putting it behind the object layer. I like using Solid Color fill layers because it’s easy to change the color if needed.

The demo below shows these steps. First, the background removal, and I am going to use Select and Mask because I don’t think it’s enough to just cut it out due to the green color fringe:

1. Choose Select > Select and Mask. 

2. Click Select Subject. This selects the subject, but the flower has a green color fringe because of color spill from the background. 

3. In Global Refinements, adjust the Radius value. This is one thing that helps remove the color fringe. 

4. In Output Settings, select Decontaminate Colors. This also helps remove the color fringe. 

5. Set Output To to New Layer With Layer Mask, for maximum flexibility. Then click OK. 

OK, that was the background removal part. Now for the solid color, the really easy and fast part:

6. In the Layers panel, click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button, and choose Solid Color. Set the color, and click OK. Stack it behind the flower layer. To adjust the color, double-click the Solid Color fill layer. That button is a shortcut for choosing the menu command Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color.

[mrsammy]

Thank you, I'll give it a try.