This is by far one of the best tutorials I have seen for photoshop on TH-cam - and I have watched/searched a LOT of videos. Glad I found you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share!!! :-D
I am a complete novice at photo shop and watched 10 videos to try and figure out how to get an image on a white background. Your video is the only one I could follow that showed where the tools were and how to undo ...so thank you and keep up the good work!!!
Yet another really useful post Rick I spent ages using the ordinary erase set at 1 px to cut around images this is now a piece of cake I love elements but the manual is a bloody mine field to navigate you make things much easier for newbies like me cheers
This is the best Tips video I have seen! You have explained EVERYTHING in concise detail and slow enough for me to follow and relate to. More! More! Thank you so much.
Once again I've learnt things from your video that I did not 'get' otherwise. Good idea to mention about the different meanings for 'background' thus avoiding unnecessary confusion for the beginner.
You're welcome. I'm really happy it helps you. You might still have to do a little clean-up with the Lasso Tool or another Tool depending on your image. But in most cases it gives you a good start. Thanks a lot for the nice comment. Good luck. - Rick
@StevenScholten Yes, depending on the background you might still be left with some pixels left behind. There are a couple different ways you can "clean it up". Select the Regular Eraser Tool from the Toolbox and choose a hard-edged Brush. Then zoom up close and just carefully erase away the stray pixels. Or use the Lasso Tool, zoom up and make a selection around a group of stray pixels and then press Delete on a Mac or Backspace on a PC. Then move on to another group. Great question! - Rick
Keep at it and you will get more comfortable with it. Don't think you need to learn the whole program. Just find info specific to what you want to do or try a technique that looks interesting to you. I think the main thing is to use it as often as possible. Thanks for the feedback on the video, I appreciate it. Good luck. - Rick
i dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me!
After reading your question I remembered someone else telling me the same thing, so I did some research. It sounds like the crosshair is only in the Mac version of Elements. For some reason (probably a bug) it's not in the PC version. - Rick
Hi That was a highly informative tutoruial. I tried it. Unfortunatly when you paste the selection onto a new layer (white for instanceyou seem to bee left with a lot of "smudges". I think if you look at your video you can notice it to (vertical stripe where the two different wall parts meet). How should I handle that?
Oh Rick thanks heaps.... do you have a video that shows this...? I have now got a photo with the bits I don't want in a checkboard and have no idea what to do with it.....If I open another photo then it shows the other photo's layers not the photo I was working on and if I try to drag the photo it doesn't allow this... I know I sound dumb but totally self taught through videos like yours...... So what you do when your images have checkerboard transparency I would like to see what you do next.
Hi Rick, Your background eraser tool tutorial was great (I've watched so many videos, just searching how to put my subject on a solid white background) but unfortunately you rush through the end so after erasing the background, I'm stuck and don't know what to do with the lasso tool or how to get my subject from the image onto a new background.
Ohhhh !!! I did everything you said and ended up with two layers, background and background copy when I saved picture the picture shows the checkerboard pattern. How do I get the transparency to show in photo?
Hi Rosie - If I understand you correctly, you have exactly what you should have after going through the tutorial. Now you can drag the layer with the subject that is surrounded by the checkerboard pattern onto a different photo. Let me know if you need further clarification and I will try to help. Good luck! - Rick
Actually, I notice that also occurs in Adobe's CS5 version of Photoshop on Windows 7 as well! I'm pretty sure it's a bug, and think it has to do with memory allocation. I notice it happens whenever I am intensely multitasking, like rendering something in After Effects while watching youtube videos and working on a photoshop project.
Hi rick do you have any tips for removing reflections from a photo? I have a big problem with them and I need the photos to be good for a portfolio. thanks
Thanks Rick I figured out how it works...your video's are great and have really helped to make my grandbabies pictures great. Now I have to find one of your videos on how to lighten an image because I didn't set my WB...silly me.
Hi Tom - It's not you, I've heard the same from others so I did some research. It sounds like the crosshair is only in the Mac version of Elements. For some reason (probably a bug) it's not in the PC version. - Rick
Excellent tutorial, Thanks a TON.. I always used Lasso tool for getting rid of background, and it was such time consuming process.. Glad I saw this video, Thanks once again !
WOW!!! What a help you are! Thanks so much from this senior. I had been totally discouraged by other's instructions. So glad I pressed on and found you.
+Aric Godines Hi Aric - I'm really glad to hear that I've been able to help you. I remember my frustration when I was try to learn this stuff so I try to really spell it out for newbies. Thanks for letting me know! - Rick
Something you didn't explain because everything is being removed even though I used the setting as you did. How did you get that little plus sign so small in the middle of the circle? If only I can get mine to work like yours. This is the easiest way I have found on the internet for removing a background. It is simply genius. Hopefully, you will respond so that I can mimic this technique..
+Laurie Lane You're probably using a newer version of Photoshop Elements than I used to record the video. At some point Adobe made the plus sign larger that it was in previous versions.
This is a very good tutorial, Rick! Thank you for it. So many of the books assume that we already know certain concepts or terms, and the do not explain the process and the possible variations. My goal is to layer the subjects over another photo background. I will check out your other tutorials. Thanks again for making it easy.
Hi this is Syed i did notice the there is the hot spot plus Singh is the Important thing when I did work one of my friends pic to bring smile on his face then i did not find the hot spot in my circle.I will appreciate if you will help me how to get that Plus Singh or the hot spot. best regards. Thanks Syed
I saved it under TIFF, open my Digital Image and drag it over to the photo. it didn't work, it was a block of white background and not transparent as I expected, help on my setting please before saving and how to save it under what type
Thank you for this tutorial, you made it simple and easy to understand for me, a newbie. You have excellent teaching skills, and I followed your tutorial step-by-step and it worked on my photoshop elements 6. I am learning pse 6 and there are many confusing pse 6 video tutorials but yours is not confusing. I have subscribed.
This video was well spoken and understandable. Thank you and I can't wait to view more. I am new to photoshop and it is not as user friendly. I feel so lost. But thank you:)
Yes, you can do that Earl. First open one and then open the other. Switch between them just as you would any other open programs on your computer. Hope that answers your question, if not let me know and I'll try to help. - Rick
Hi Rick, thanks for the informative lesson. I'm new to using photoshop and have been trying to figure out how to remove backgrounds from images that I router on my CNC. I've been trying to download floral borders and use photo elements to convert for use in my router program Vcarve Pro. When I download borders from the internet, there are several show on one page. How do I separate out the one that I would like to use? Your or anyone's help would be appreciated. I'm sure its not complicated, but I can figure it out. Thanks, Greg
+Greg Guidry Hi Greg - You could try this method: • Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to click-and-drag a Selection around the border that you want to use. • Press Cmnd-J on a Mac or Cntrl-J on a PC to copy the selected area to its own Layer. • In the Layers Panel, click on the Eye icon on the Background Layer to hide its visibility. Now in the Active Image Area you should just see the Layer that you put on its own Layer. • Go up to the File Menu and choose "Save As...". The Save As dialog box will appear. • In the dialog box choose "JPEG" from the Format Field. Choose a place to save it to and give it a name of your choice. Then click on Save and you'll have your border as a separate image. Good luck! Rick
Hi Rick I have just bought Photoshop Elements ( was using photoshop 6) You have saved me from heaven knows how much stress, now the extract tool has been taken away. You tell it how and show how it is, not like the book where you have to guess at things, THANK YOU. I am going to subscribe to your site. You have a new fan :)
Hi Srikanth - Try this: 1. Duplicate the Background Layer. 2. Use the Magic Wand Tool to make a Selection of the white area. 3. Go up to the Select Menu and choose "Inverse". 4. Press Delete or Backspace on your keyboard to remove the white. Those are the basic instructions. The background should now be gone from the new layer you created in Step 1. To see how it looks, Option-Click (Alt-Click on a PC) on the eyeball next to the new layer in the Layers Panel. If you need further clarification let me know and I'll try to help. Good luck! - Rick
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This is by far one of the best tutorials I have seen for photoshop on TH-cam - and I have watched/searched a LOT of videos. Glad I found you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share!!! :-D
I am a complete novice at photo shop and watched 10 videos to try and figure out how to get an image on a white background. Your video is the only one I could follow that showed where the tools were and how to undo ...so thank you and keep up the good work!!!
For the first time I could understand the Erase Background Tool. Congrats.
Excellent tutorial, thank you. Finally someone who explains things in an understandable manner and takes time to do it. Thank you again.
Yet another really useful post Rick I spent ages using the ordinary erase set at 1 px to cut around images this is now a piece of cake I love elements but the manual is a bloody mine field to navigate you make things much easier for newbies like me
cheers
I have always wondered how people do this. I am still pretty new to PSE. The tutorial is great. TFS it!!
This is the best Tips video I have seen! You have explained EVERYTHING in concise detail and slow enough for me to follow and relate to. More! More! Thank you so much.
Once again I've learnt things from your video that I did not 'get' otherwise. Good idea to mention about the different meanings for 'background' thus avoiding unnecessary confusion for the beginner.
Another well explained video from you. Thank you!
No problem, I'm happy to hear you liked it. Keep working with Elements, it gets easier, I promise. - Rick
Straightforward, simple, and highly instructive as usual. Well done, Rick. Happy New Year!
You're welcome. I'm really happy it helps you. You might still have to do a little clean-up with the Lasso Tool or another Tool depending on your image. But in most cases it gives you a good start. Thanks a lot for the nice comment. Good luck. - Rick
You're welcome, glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. - Rick
You're very welcome. I'm glad too! Thanks so much for watching and leaving such a nice comment. - Rick
@StevenScholten Yes, depending on the background you might still be left with some pixels left behind. There are a couple different ways you can "clean it up".
Select the Regular Eraser Tool from the Toolbox and choose a hard-edged
Brush. Then zoom up close and just carefully erase away the stray pixels.
Or use the Lasso Tool, zoom up and make a selection around a group of stray pixels and then press Delete on a Mac or Backspace on a PC. Then move on to another group.
Great question! - Rick
Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Glad you learned something new! - Rick
I am new to this but I want to thank you for the wealth of information and easy directions to follow.
This is so awesome!
But is there a difference between doing this in blackwhite and in colour?
Thank you Patti, I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate that. - Rick
So glad to hear that you found this easy to understand! That's what I really strive to do. Thanks for letting me know. - Rick
Keep at it and you will get more comfortable with it. Don't think you need to learn the whole program. Just find info specific to what you want to do or try a technique that looks interesting to you. I think the main thing is to use it as often as possible. Thanks for the feedback on the video, I appreciate it. Good luck. - Rick
You're a wonderful teacher! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and in such a clear, easily understood delivery. A rare talent.
i dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account?
I somehow forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me!
After reading your question I remembered someone else telling me the same thing, so I did some research. It sounds like the crosshair is only in the Mac version of Elements.
For some reason (probably a bug) it's not in the PC version. - Rick
Hi
That was a highly informative tutoruial. I tried it. Unfortunatly when you paste the selection onto a new layer (white for instanceyou seem to bee left with a lot of "smudges". I think if you look at your video you can notice it to (vertical stripe where the two different wall parts meet). How should I handle that?
You're very welcome. Thank YOU for such an awesome comment! I really appreciate it. - Rick
You're welcome. Stick with it and before long you won't be new to Photoshop Elements, you'll have experience! Thanks for your comment! - Rick
Oh Rick thanks heaps.... do you have a video that shows this...?
I have now got a photo with the bits I don't want in a checkboard and have no idea what to do with it.....If I open another photo then it shows the other photo's layers not the photo I was working on and if I try to drag the photo it doesn't allow this... I know I sound dumb but totally self taught through videos like yours...... So what you do when your images have checkerboard transparency I would like to see what you do next.
This was a great tutorial !!!!!! So glad I found you! You sir are amazing!!! and congrats to the gentleman in the photo for graduating :)
Hi Rick, Your background eraser tool tutorial was great (I've watched so many videos, just searching how to put my subject on a solid white background) but unfortunately you rush through the end so after erasing the background, I'm stuck and don't know what to do with the lasso tool or how to get my subject from the image onto a new background.
Glad to hear you found a "new and improved" method that you like! I appreciate your comment, thanks. - Rick
That's great to hear! With 3000 photos to practice with, you'll be a pro in no time. Thanks for the comment and good luck. - Rick
Ohhhh !!!
I did everything you said and ended up with two layers, background and background copy when I saved picture the picture shows the checkerboard pattern. How do I get the transparency to show in photo?
Your messages never grow old! Thanks!
@MsJohnmckenzie Thank you. I'm glad you liked it! - Rick
Hi Rosie - If I understand you correctly, you have exactly what you should have after going through the tutorial. Now you can drag the layer with the subject that is surrounded by the checkerboard pattern onto a different photo.
Let me know if you need further clarification and I will try to help. Good luck! - Rick
First tutorial that has been easy to follow and actually works. Thanks.
Hi Elaine - Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for letting me know. - Rick
Wow, definitely have struggled with this. Can’t wait to try this with your tutorial.
@iDreamStudiosTube Glad to do it. Thank YOU for the feedback. - Rick
very useful. thanks. I've been using elements for 10 years and didnt know this
jim
A great tutorial Rick,,as we say here in Boston,,,wicked pissah,,,,nice and slow and easy to follow,,,thanks,,,
You're welcome. I wish we had cool sayings like "wicked pissah" in Minnesota...ya sure ya betcha I do! - Rick
Actually, I notice that also occurs in Adobe's CS5 version of Photoshop on Windows 7 as well! I'm pretty sure it's a bug, and think it has to do with memory allocation. I notice it happens whenever I am intensely multitasking, like rendering something in After Effects while watching youtube videos and working on a photoshop project.
I managed to get both working today. Had to reinstall #11. Seems to be doing the job. Thanks for taking the time to help. I appreciate it. Earl
Glad you got it sorted out Earl. Thanks for the update. - Rick
You're welcome! Thank YOU for subscribing! - Rick
Thank you for taking the time to teach. Your video really helped me in a tremendous way.
Which versions of Photoshop Elements have this Background Eraser?
Where do you get the layers panel .. PSE even with instruction is too complicated
Great informative video, I always had this tool set up incorrect and now it works so much better..... thanks again for posting
it's also a little inefficient in a way if you want to just draw a 4 on the softoor kick soft and theres all those empty sequencers on the
My mom thinks so too :^) Thanks for watching and commenting. - Rick
Hi rick do you have any tips for removing reflections from a photo? I have a big problem with them and I need the photos to be good for a portfolio. thanks
Nice of you to take the time to tell me. Thank you. - Rick
Are you still doing tutorials
Hi Rick, thank you for an excellent lesson. Is the cross hairs trick still available on the elements 13 version? thanks, john
Hi John - Yep, it sure is. - Rick
How do I delete the background behind text on a photo? I am using Photoshop Elements 2018. Thank you.
I do not get the Circle curser icon when I click on the Background Eraser tool! I have PSE10. What am I doing wrong?
Once you do what you did? How and can you save it as a pic? Can I then add this to another picture?
Another great tutorial from you Rick, so easy to understand, many thanks. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Thanks Do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too. - Rick
I have element 10. It doesn't work for me. What are your hidden settings if any you haven'tt mention in your tutorial
Thanks Rick I figured out how it works...your video's are great and have really helped to make my grandbabies pictures great. Now I have to find one of your videos on how to lighten an image because I didn't set my WB...silly me.
2020 and this was still very helpful. I at least have an idea of what to do. Thank you.
AnointedSong Do you use Photoshop Elements 2020?
Hi Tom - It's not you, I've heard the same from others so I did some research. It sounds like the crosshair is only in the Mac version of Elements. For some reason (probably a bug) it's not in the PC version. - Rick
Excellent tutorial, Thanks a TON.. I always used Lasso tool for getting rid of background, and it was such time consuming process.. Glad I saw this video, Thanks once again !
You're welcome Sharon. Glad it helped! - Rick
WOW!!! What a help you are! Thanks so much from this senior. I had been totally discouraged by other's instructions. So glad I pressed on and found you.
+Aric Godines
Hi Aric - I'm really glad to hear that I've been able to help you. I remember my frustration when I was try to learn this stuff so I try to really spell it out for newbies. Thanks for letting me know! - Rick
You're welcome Jim. It's got to be one of the most over-looked tools in Photoshop. - Rick
Thanks very much... well explained and therefore easy to follow.
Awesome! I've never used that tool before!!
Really nice tutorial Rick. I have to try it when I am home. Thanks from Germany!
Wonderful tutorial and it works so quickly. Thank you.
I have Photoshop Elements 12 and need to learn how to get rid of backgrounds. I am a beginner so please give me easy ones..
Something you didn't explain because everything is being removed even though I used the setting as you did. How did you get that little plus sign so small in the middle of the circle? If only I can get mine to work like yours. This is the easiest way I have found on the internet for removing a background. It is simply genius. Hopefully, you will respond so that I can mimic this technique..
+Laurie Lane You're probably using a newer version of Photoshop Elements than I used to record the video. At some point Adobe made the plus sign larger that it was in previous versions.
That's too bad because I have Elements 14 and it doesn't work like yours. What version are you using?
This is a very good tutorial, Rick! Thank you for it. So many of the books assume that we already know certain concepts or terms, and the do not explain the process and the possible variations. My goal is to layer the subjects over another photo background. I will check out your other tutorials. Thanks again for making it easy.
Hi this is Syed i did notice the there is the hot spot plus Singh is the Important thing when I did work one of my friends pic to bring smile on his face then i did not find the hot spot in my circle.I will appreciate if you will help me how to get that Plus Singh or the hot spot. best regards.
Thanks
Syed
I saved it under TIFF, open my Digital Image and drag it over to the photo. it didn't work, it was a block of white background and not transparent as I expected, help on my setting please before saving and how to save it under what type
Thank you for this tutorial, you made it simple and easy to understand for me, a newbie. You have excellent teaching skills, and I followed your tutorial step-by-step and it worked on my photoshop elements 6. I am learning pse 6 and there are many confusing pse 6 video tutorials but yours is not confusing. I have subscribed.
You're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for the nice comments! - Rick
Thanks, glad you liked it! - Rick
This video was well spoken and understandable. Thank you and I can't wait to view more. I am new to photoshop and it is not as user friendly. I feel so lost. But thank you:)
Ok, good. Glad you got it figured out. Thanks for letting me know. - Rick
This was the best tutorial! - I am so glad I found this. Will be looking over all our tutorials now.
Hi Diane - Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you liked it. - Rick
EXCELLENT tutorial!
Thank you! Glad you liked it. - Rick
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Glad it worked! Thanks for letting me know. - Rick
What version is this? I have version 11 and I have a PC so could I do this in this version? This would make my life alot easier...haha.
excellent tutorial video.. and good explanation , very useful....
thanks
This is very helpful. Plus you have a great voice for this.
Thank you!
Thank you!
How can I make another photo fill the background?
Is there ANYWAY to have both PSE 11 and 12 the SAME puter and be able to switch between the two? Thanks.
Yes, you can do that Earl. First open one and then open the other. Switch between them just as you would any other open programs on your computer.
Hope that answers your question, if not let me know and I'll try to help. - Rick
Hi Rick,
thanks for the informative lesson. I'm new to using photoshop and have been trying to figure out how to remove backgrounds from images that I router on my CNC.
I've been trying to download floral borders and use photo elements to convert for use in my router program Vcarve Pro. When I download borders from the internet, there are several show on one page. How do I separate out the one that I would like to use? Your or anyone's help would be appreciated. I'm sure its not complicated, but I can figure it out. Thanks, Greg
+Greg Guidry
Hi Greg - You could try this method:
• Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to click-and-drag a Selection around the border that you want to use.
• Press Cmnd-J on a Mac or Cntrl-J on a PC to copy the selected area to its own Layer.
• In the Layers Panel, click on the Eye icon on the Background Layer to hide its visibility. Now in the Active Image Area you should just see the Layer that you put on its own Layer.
• Go up to the File Menu and choose "Save As...". The Save As dialog box will appear.
• In the dialog box choose "JPEG" from the Format Field. Choose a place to save it to and give it a name of your choice. Then click on Save and you'll have your border as a separate image.
Good luck!
Rick
oops sorry, When you zoomed in to your options bar I see discontiquos and tolerance 14%, and now it has started to respond.
Rick, thank you for your great tips you are the best
You're welcome Cynthia, very nice of you to say. - Rick
Thanks, you made my day! - Rick
Hi Rick
I have just bought Photoshop Elements ( was using photoshop 6)
You have saved me from heaven knows how much stress, now the extract tool has been taken away. You tell it how and show how it is, not like the book where you have to guess at things, THANK YOU. I am going to subscribe to your site. You have a new fan :)
GREAT Tutorial....thanks for sharing!
Great Totorial Rick.
Very easy to understand, thank you !
Thanks for sharing that Mike! - Rick
That Guy Thanks, I will look into it later.
Hi i have a image with white background i want to remove that background and want only that image will u please help me out ??
Hi Srikanth - Try this:
1. Duplicate the Background Layer.
2. Use the Magic Wand Tool to make a Selection of the white area.
3. Go up to the Select Menu and choose "Inverse".
4. Press Delete or Backspace on your keyboard to remove the white.
Those are the basic instructions. The background should now be gone from the new layer you created in Step 1. To see how it looks, Option-Click (Alt-Click on a PC) on the eyeball next to the new layer in the Layers Panel. If you need further clarification let me know and I'll try to help. Good luck! - Rick
Rick Peterson Sir ll u please give me your email so that i can contact u there...i need some more help