Have you ever taken and photograph and thought, “Nah, that background looks so odd against the subject or foreground”? It could be because the background itself is inappropriate or because the background color does not just go with the rest of the image.
If that is the case, you can always change the color using photo editing software and tools. And one such high-end image editing software is Photoshop. But do you know how to change the background color in Photoshop?
If not, don’t let that bother you. This article will help you learn how you can change the image background color using Photoshop software in the most efficient and quickest way. So I hope you stick around until the end and read the entire article.
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How To Change Background Color In Photoshop
As I mentioned a moment ago, there are not just one but several ways to change image background color in Photoshop. Moreover, you can just either change a solid color or make it transparent as you need.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to change the background color in Photoshop using layer mask options. And you should know that it is the most commonly used method to change color.
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Step 1: Launch Photoshop And Open The Image
Of course, you gotta start by launching your Photoshop application. Spot the icon that says Ps, and you can launch it by double-clicking it. Or, you can right-click on the mouse by placing the cursor on the icon and selecting Open from the pop-up menu.
And once the Photoshop application launches, go to the top menu bar and select the File panel. After that, select Open from the drop-down menu to go to your device storage to choose the saved image you want to edit.
You can also open the storage directly by using shortcuts. Just press CTRL+O (COMMAND+O on MAC) and then select your image. Once you click OK after selecting the image, it will automatically get uploaded to the Photoshop workspace.
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Tips: If it is your first time changing the background color in Photoshop, I suggest going with a simpler image so that you can work on it more efficiently. Choosing a complex image on the first go can end up discouraging you. So choose an image with a solid subject, a single color background, no hair or fur, etc.
Step 2: Duplicate Layer
You can work on the image as it is. However, creating a duplicate layer will add a layer underneath the original to help you adjust or make changes later if you need to. That means you can work on the layer without ending up altering any unwanted part of the original layer.
So to do that, go to the Layer panel on the right side of your workspace and right-click on it. Then select Duplicate Layer from the pop-up menu. You can create the duplicate layer by using the pointer to drag the background layer all the way to the Create A New Layer icon on the right-bottom area.
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Step 3: Select The Subject
Now, for the selection part, you can do it in two ways. You can either select the subject and separate it from the background to change it into a solid color or, you can select the background to separate it from the subject for the very same purpose.
Though both options work pretty much in the same way, I will go with the subject selection method as it is comparatively easier for anyone to understand. And for subject selection, you can choose any selection tool, such as Object Selection Tool, Magic Wand Tool, Pen Tool, Quick Selection Tool, etc.
The advantage of selecting with the Magic Wand Tool is that it will help you select the subject automatically without much hassle. And after you choose your selection tool, carefully select around the subject and any other spot to ensure it is fully separable from the background.
If the edges seem tough to select, you can Zoom into the image and select it.
Step 4: Invert Selection And Refine The Edges
After you are done with the selection, you need to invert the subject to ensure the subject is the only thing selected in the image. But why is it necessary?
If you do not invert the image, the Photoshop program will think that you made the selection to make changes to the selected areas, a.k.a. the subject. In reality, your purpose is quite the opposite. That is why inverting the image will help you make changes to the background without bothering the subject.
To do that, go to the top Select panel, and select Inverse from the drop-down menu. You can also do it from your keyboard by pressing CTRL+Shift+I (COMMAND+Shift+I on MAC).
Once you do that, you will notice ant-like movements around the selected subject’s edge, meaning the inversion has been done.
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Step 5: Apply Layer Mask
Your next task is to refine the subject edges to make them sharper. It will help highlight it more without making it look bluntly blended with the newly added background color.
To apply the layer mask, select the layer and then click on the layer mask icon at the bottom from the right-side menu box.
As soon as you select the command, the entire image will turn black and white, with the selected subject as white and the background as black. This helps you see how the masking will look when you change the background color.
Step 6: Apply Fill Layer
Now go to the bottom of the right-side menu panel and select the Fill icon. And once the next menu pops up, select Solid Color, from where you will select your background’s new color.
After you select Solid Color, a new dialog box will pop up with a color palette. You can either select a color from the palette or move the slider up and down to find a different shade. Once you select the right color, click OK.
Don’t worry if the color shows up over on your image subject rather than the background. You can fix it by clicking on the layer mask you created previously.
You can do it either by pressing the CTRL (COMMAND on MAC) button from the keyboard. If not, you can go to the Properties panel on the top and select Inverse from the box there.
As soon as you do that, the color will fill the background, and the subject will be back to its original state.
Step 7: Apply Blending Mode
If your image has shadow and texture, it can get lost underneath the newly applied color on the background. But you can get it back by using the blending mode. From the option that says Normal on the right-side panel, you can apply the change.
Just click on the extend icon and change it from Normal to Multiply.
And you will now see that the shadow, texture, and other lost details from the original image are now visible.
Tips: Your image is almost ready. But does the color you have applied seem no-so-eye-catching? If so, you can just double-click on the Solid Color thumbnail showing next to the layer and change it as you wish.
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Step 8: Save The Image
Saving the image is simple, but you must consider whether you want to keep all the edible layers you created or just keep the change. The difference here is accessibility.
Photoshop usually saves images as a .psd file, which keeps all the layers, and you can access them to make changes in the future, even after you have saved the image. But the drawback with this format is that the file size will be larger, and you cannot open the image with other applications.
On the other hand, if you flatten the image and save it in .jpg format, the image size will be deducted. And you can open this image more easily using any software or application, or media. However, this format will only save the final result, meaning you cannot access the changeable layers to make corrections once you save it.
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Why Change Background Color In Photoshop?
You may want to change the image background color for many reasons. It could be a personal image, and you want to make it look cooler. It could also be for marketing or selling purposes, or maybe you want to create clothes or image catalogs.
No matter what your purpose is, changing the image background can transform an image and help you in more ways than you think. So let’s look at some of the reasons why you should change the background color in Photoshop.
High-Quality Result
You would want to change image backgrounds with the Photoshop application because Photoshop is a reliable software. Made for professional editing, this software offers everything you need without requiring you to rely on any other application. Moreover, you can get high-quality results if you know how to use the tools accurately.
Removes Distraction
With Photoshop to change the background, you can remove unnecessary background parts when you change the color. So if the previous background is something that could distract the audience, you can use the background color change process to remove the distraction and highlight the subject more.
Improves Appearance
While changing the background color, the image undergoes multiple other editing processes, such as retouching, flaw, spot, or wrinkles removal. Not only do they improve the subject and overall image appearance, but they also enhance the images.
Improves Quality
Most photo editing software is not promising enough when it comes to keeping the image quality high. As the image goes through several editing layers, it tends to lose its quality. But that does not happen when you use Photoshop or hire a service that uses Photoshop to change the image background color.
Makes Images Eye-Catching
With all the distractions removed and color retouched or changed, the photo gets a whole new transformation. And if you have a target audience, it can help you attract more audience. And more audience means more customers, which helps boost sales and flourish the business.
What Type Of Images Require Background Color Change In Photoshop?
So, exactly what type of images do you think usually go through the background color-changing procedure? Well, here is the answer.
Any Regular Photo
Photographs do not always have a professional or commercial purpose. We take photos all the time, even without the help of a professional. And sometimes, even the regular photos we take need some editing and color changes to make them memorable.
Public Figures/Social Media Influencer Photos
With social media being such an effective platform for growing audiences by sharing images, it becomes necessary to ensure the images are eye-catching. So from social media influencers to political people, public figures change their image background colors by themselves via Photoshop or hire someone to do that.
Professional/Studio Photography
Photographers or photo studio editors often do post-production photo editing themselves. But sometimes, the amount of pending work can become massive and added pressure. Since they are already using Photoshop to do the job, they only need to hire an image editing service to change background colors in Photoshop can help take one’s hands off excessive workload.
Product Manufacturers/Brands
Brands and product manufacturers need to present what they manufacture and offer to buyers in an attractive, eye-catching, and classy way. So it is essential for them to care about the background color and change it if it seems too distracting or inappropriate. That’s why they need to change the product background color to attract buyers.
E-Commerce Site Owners
One of the most commonly used background colors for e-commerce sites is white. Not only it suits well with almost all types of products, but it also makes the images instantly eye-catching. Other than white, other colors are also used as long as they highlight the product more.
Magazine/Publishing Agencies
Magazine and publishing agencies also need this type of photo editing skilled people to help make their images more suitable for publishing. They often have in-house editors to change the background color in Photoshop and do necessary retouching. If not, they just hire an outsource service to do the job.
Clipping Arts India Background Color Change Service
If you are looking for a reliable, professional, and high-end photo editing service for changing the image background color, Clipping Arts India is here to help you out. How?
Here at CAI, we offer various background-related photo editing services, such as background change, color change or changing the background color to white, or creating transparent backgrounds. So as part of the service, we offer the background color change service to help enhance any image.
In Clipping Arts India, all our designers and editors are professionals and have years of experience in this field. As a result, they can change the image background color effortlessly, regardless of how complex it seems.
We use all high-end, upgraded, and premium software and tools to edit images to ensure a high-quality result. It also protects the image quality regardless of the editing and resizing processes.
You can also count on us in case you need a quick delivery. Clipping Arts India ensures delivery for any order in 24 hours. The same goes for queries, and you can also reach out to us through our 24/7 customer helpline.
We also offer any amount of photo editing at an affordable rate. You can also avail of our discount option by placing bulk orders. On top of that, we offer a one-time free trial to help you test our skill with any 2 images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
Photographers always capture an image keeping the role of the background in mind. Still, it is not unusual for the background color to appear out of place sometimes. And if the images have the wrong background colors, they will not be able to draw attention or attract an audience.
So it is only best if you know how to change the background color in Photoshop, as this application offers the most efficient workspace for image editing. However, if you think editing the images is not your cup of tea, feel free to pass them over to Clipping Arts India because it is certainly our cup of tea.
