A precise cutout of a person from a photo starts with a good selection. This involves creating a boundary around the person you want to isolate. Think of this selection as a precise cutting line. Photoshop offers several selection tools, each providing different levels of control and speed.
Understanding Layer Masks for Cutting Out Images
Layer masks are essential for cutting out a person from a photo. They act like a digital stencil, concealing parts of the image while revealing others. Applying a layer mask to a selection isolates the selected person, effectively separating them from the background. The advantage of digital layer masks is their flexibility, allowing for adjustments as needed.
Layer masks utilize the Photoshop brush tool and two colors: black and white. Black on the mask hides the underlying image, while white reveals it. Adjusting the brush opacity allows for varying degrees of transparency, helpful for achieving soft edges and avoiding harsh lines around the cutout.
Non-Destructive Editing with Layer Masks
Using layer masks is a non-destructive editing technique. This means no part of the original photo is permanently deleted during the cutout process. You can modify the layer mask at any time by painting with black or white to refine the selection and achieve the desired result. This flexibility allows for experimentation and ensures you can always revert to the original image.
