How to Remove Background in Photoshop: A Beginner’s Guide

You can isolate subjects and create transparent images in Photoshop using the dedicated AI-powered tools available in the 2026 release. This skill is essential for product photography, marketing materials, and composite images where you need to place a subject onto a different background. Before you begin, ensure you have an image with a clearly defined subject.

What You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop CC (Version 2025 or 2026 recommended)
• A computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11
• An image file (JPG, PNG, or TIFF) with a subject you want to isolate

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Your Image: Launch Photoshop and go to File > Open to load your image.

   

2. Unlock the Background Layer: Look at the Layers panel (usually on the right). If your image is on a layer named 'Background' with a lock icon, click the lock icon once to convert it to a standard layer (Layer 0). This step allows for transparency.

   

3. Locate the Contextual Task Bar: In the latest versions of Photoshop, a floating bar appears near your subject or at the bottom of the canvas. If you do not see it, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar to enable it.

   

4. Click Remove Background: With your layer selected, click the Remove Background button on the Contextual Task Bar. Photoshop's AI will detect the subject and instantly apply a layer mask, hiding the background.

   

5. Refine Edges (Optional): If the edges look rough (common with hair or fur), click the mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. Then, click Select and Mask in the Properties panel.

   

6. Use Refine Hair: Inside the Select and Mask workspace, click the Refine Hair button in the top options bar. This automatically adjusts the selection around fine strands. When finished, click OK.
7. Export the Image: To save your cutout with a transparent background, go to File > Export > Export As....
8. Configure Export Settings: In the dialog box, set the Format to PNG and ensure the Transparency checkbox is ticked. Click Export to save the file to your computer.

Tips for Better Results

• Non-Destructive Editing: Photoshop uses a Layer Mask (the black and white box next to your layer) instead of deleting pixels. You can paint on this mask with a black brush to hide more areas or a white brush to reveal parts of the image.
• High Contrast Helps: Automated tools work best when there is a strong contrast between the subject and the background.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Ctrl+Z to undo any mistakes instantly. Press Ctrl+Plus to zoom in and check your edges closely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Exporting as JPG: Never save a cutout as a JPG file. This format does not support transparency and will fill your removed background with solid white. Always use PNG.
• Ignoring Halos: If you see a thin colored line around your subject (a halo), enter the Select and Mask workspace and use the Shift Edge slider to contract the selection slightly inward (-10% to -20%).