How to remove the background from an image
A background removal tool can be very useful if you like to creatively transform images. This kind of app can help you cut out elements from a photo and place them on a different background. Many of the stunning ads and promo photos you see in magazines would’ve been impossible to create without background removal. Professional photographers often create their original photo with a white background and then remove the white background from their image to replace it with a picture. You can also delete the background to get rid of unwanted details or people that accidentally strayed into your otherwise perfect photo.
Many people think that removing the background of a picture is hard to do, but in reality, it’s not that difficult. All you need is the right software. We recommend you try Movavi Photo Editor – a multifaceted program that lets you delete or change backgrounds and do other photo-editing tasks, like retouching, erasing objects, and much more. To learn how to remove the background of a picture, check out our simple guide below.
Step 1. Install Movavi Photo Editor
Download the installation file, open it, and follow the on-screen instructions. Launch the program once the installation is complete.
Step 2. Add an image to the program
Click Browse for Images and choose the photo you want to work with, or just drag it into the program’s working area.
Step 3. Select the foreground objects and the background
Select the Change Background tab from the side panel. To mark the foreground objects and the background, use one of the three tools described below.
Automatic selection. You can use this option if you want to delete the background and leave just the people in your picture. Click the Auto Select button and the program will automatically select people’s silhouettes.
Brush. This tool lets you select individual objects and the background manually. Click the Brush + icon and mark the foreground objects, as shown in the screenshot. Then pick the Brush - icon and select the background you want to remove. To clear your mark up, use the Eraser. If you want to start the selection over, click Reset Selection.
Lasso. This is another manual selection tool. Click the Lasso + icon and trace the outline of the objects you want to keep. To outline the background, use the Lasso - icon.
If you fixed the borders manually, click Next Step to continue.
Step 4. Refine the edges
Now you can refine your selection. Use the Object Selection brush to smooth the edges and the Background Selection brush to mark the areas you want to take out. Trace around the selection with the Hair Selection Tool to refine hair strands, wisps of grass, and other fine details in the picture. Click Next Step to continue.
Step 5. Remove or replace the background
Now you can remove the background from your image or select a new one. If you want a photo with no background, click the Use a transparent background icon. Alternatively, you can place a new background in your photo – either a solid color or an image.
If you want to fill the background with a solid color, click the Color fill icon. Then select a color from the palette or use the color picker tool to select a color from anywhere on your screen.
To place an image in the background, click the Add Image button. In the new window, click Upload to choose a photo from your computer or pick a background from our collection.
When you’ve finished editing, click Apply.
Step 6. Save the edited image
Finally, you need to save your edited photo. Click the floppy disk icon and choose one of the many popular image formats from PNG to JPEG. Then click OK.
Great! Now you know how to remove the background from your picture. With Movavi Photo Editor, anyone can do it, no matter your level of photo-editing skills!
Movavi Photo Editor
*The free version of Movavi Photo Editor has the following restrictions: you can save up to 10 images with added watermark, screenshots are disabled.
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