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 by far one of the best tutorials I have seen for photoshop on RUclips - and I have watched/searched a LOT of videos. Glad I found you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share!!! :-D
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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
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
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 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.
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
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?
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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:)
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.
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 :)
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?
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.
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
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
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 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!!!
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
This is by far one of the best tutorials I have seen for photoshop on RUclips - 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 new to this but I want to thank you for the wealth of information and easy directions to follow.
I have always wondered how people do this. I am still pretty new to PSE. The tutorial is great. TFS it!!
For the first time I could understand the Erase Background Tool. Congrats.
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.
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.
Straightforward, simple, and highly instructive as usual. Well done, Rick. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Glad you learned something new! - Rick
You're very welcome. I'm glad too! Thanks so much for watching and leaving such a nice comment. - 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
You're welcome, glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. - 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!
No problem, I'm happy to hear you liked it. Keep working with Elements, it gets easier, I promise. - Rick
Thank you Patti, I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate that. - Rick
Another well explained video from you. Thank you!
You're very welcome. Thank YOU for such an awesome comment! I really appreciate it. - Rick
This was a great tutorial !!!!!! So glad I found you! You sir are amazing!!! and congrats to the gentleman in the photo for graduating :)
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
Glad to hear you found a "new and improved" method that you like! I appreciate your comment, thanks. - Rick
Wow, definitely have struggled with this. Can’t wait to try this with your tutorial.
Your messages never grow old! Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to teach. Your video really helped me in a tremendous way.
very useful. thanks. I've been using elements for 10 years and didnt know this
jim
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
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
@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
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
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
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
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
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
@MsJohnmckenzie Thank you. I'm glad you liked it! - Rick
Really nice tutorial Rick. I have to try it when I am home. Thanks from Germany!
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
This is so awesome!
But is there a difference between doing this in blackwhite and in colour?
Great informative video, I always had this tool set up incorrect and now it works so much better..... thanks again for posting
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.
Thanks very much... well explained and therefore easy to follow.
You're welcome! Thank YOU for subscribing! - Rick
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
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 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.
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!
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
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?
@iDreamStudiosTube Glad to do it. Thank YOU for the feedback. - Rick
Wonderful tutorial and it works so quickly. Thank you.
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 !
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.
This is very helpful. Plus you have a great voice for this.
Thank you!
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.
Awesome! I've never used that tool before!!
Nice of you to take the time to tell me. Thank you. - 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.
You're welcome Sharon. Glad it helped! - Rick
Ok, good. Glad you got it figured out. Thanks for letting me know. - 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:)
Rick, thank you for your great tips you are the best
You're welcome Cynthia, very nice of you to say. - Rick
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
My mom thinks so too :^) Thanks for watching and commenting. - Rick
excellent tutorial video.. and good explanation , very useful....
thanks
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
Glad it worked! Thanks for letting me know. - 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 :)
Thanks, you made my day! - Rick
Very easy to understand, thank you !
Thanks, glad you liked it! - Rick
You're welcome Jim. It's got to be one of the most over-looked tools in Photoshop. - Rick
GREAT Tutorial....thanks for sharing!
Excellent, thank you!
You're welcome, glad you liked it Ian. - Rick
Thank you! Glad you liked it. - Rick
Great Totorial 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?
That Guy Thanks, I will look into it later.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Excellent presentation!
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?
You are awesome!!!
Where do you get the layers panel .. PSE even with instruction is too complicated
Thanks for sharing that Mike! - Rick
Thanks so much for the great tutorial -- helped me out a lot!
Great to hear Jill. Thanks for letting me know. - Rick
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
I do not get the Circle curser icon when I click on the Background Eraser tool! I have PSE10. What am I doing wrong?
Great video. Thank you!
You're welcome. Thanks for the nice comment. - Rick
Thank you!
Hi Rick: Many Thanks for you insight. This really helped me. Again, Many Thanks!
You're welcome, glad it helped. - 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
How do I delete the background behind text on a photo? I am using Photoshop Elements 2018. Thank you.
Which versions of Photoshop Elements have this Background Eraser?
THANKS!!!! You are a life saver!
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 have Photoshop Elements 12 and need to learn how to get rid of backgrounds. I am a beginner so please give me easy ones..
Once you do what you did? How and can you save it as a pic? Can I then add this to another picture?
Thank you, so much! I've subscribed now, I'll hearing from you for now on. Thanks
That was great! Thank you.
oops sorry, When you zoomed in to your options bar I see discontiquos and tolerance 14%, and now it has started to respond.