Clean Up Studio Backgrounds using AI in Photoshop

Introduction

As a photographer, ensuring that your studio backgrounds are clean and visually appealing is crucial for presenting your subjects in the best light. Whether you're working with fewer-than-ideal backgrounds or just need to enhance your images, this tutorial will show you how to leverage artificial intelligence in Photoshop to effectively clean up, extend, and augment your studio backgrounds.

Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up

To begin, launch Photoshop and open your photo. We'll demonstrate several examples, each dealing with different background challenges.

1. Open the Contextual Taskbar:
   • If you don’t see it, you can pin it by locating the icon (•••) at the bottom of your screen, clicking on it, and selecting "Pin to Bar."
   • You can also access it by going to Window > Contextual Taskbar to maximize its visibility.

Example 1: Removing Wrinkles from a Background

1. Select Your Subject:

   • Click on the “Select Subject” button in the contextual taskbar.

2. Inverse the Selection:

   • Select the inverse option to focus on the background.

3. Apply Generative Fill:

   • Click on “Generative Fill" and type "clean backdrop". Hit “Generate” to produce variations of a clean background using AI.

4. Review Results:

   • Browse through different generated backdrops in the properties window, choosing the one that best enhances your image.

Example 2: Utilizing the Lasso Tool for Specific Selections

1. Select and Modify Subject Area:

   • Use the “Select Subject” mode and fine-tune your selection with the Lasso tool.

2. Remove Wrinkles:

   • Inverse the selection and type in "remove wrinkles" in the Generative Fill dialog for AI to generate a smoother background.

3. Crop and Expand:

   • If more space is needed, use the Crop tool, ensuring to set it to “Generative Expand.” This allows the AI to seamlessly fill in new background details.

Example 3: Incorporating Background Colors

1. Adjust Selection to Include Background Color:

   • After selecting your subject, expand the selection to incorporate the original background color.

2. Generate a Specific Studio Backdrop:

   • With the Generative Fill dialog, type "studio backdrop" for AI to generate colored backgrounds that match your expanded selection.

Example 4: Filling Missing Elements

1. Use the Crop Tool:

   • If your subject is cut off (like a shoe), use the crop tool to add space.

2. Select and Remove Backgrounds:

   • Make additional selections using the Lasso tool and inverse those selections to generate fills.

3. Review and Refine:

   • If the generated results aren't satisfactory, keep modifying your prompts until the AI produces an appealing background.

Final Touches

After applying these methods across various examples, you should find that you've effectively transformed backgrounds that enhance your subjects, ensuring a polished and professional presentation in your photography.

Thank you for watching this tutorial! Don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe for more free Photoshop tips and tricks!

---

Keywords

• AI in Photoshop
• Clean background
• Generative fill
• Background selection
• Studio photography
• Image enhancement
• Cropping
• Lasso tool

---

FAQ

Q1: What does the generative fill feature do in Photoshop?
A1: The generative fill feature utilizes artificial intelligence to generate background images based on selected areas, allowing you to clean, extend, or alter backgrounds effortlessly.

Q2: How do I select my subject in Photoshop?
A2: You can select your subject by using the “Select Subject” option found in the contextual taskbar at the top of the screen.

Q3: Can I adjust the background color after generating a fill?
A3: Yes, you can expand the selection to include parts of the background color before applying generative fill, ensuring the generated background is consistent with the original colors.

Q4: What should I do if I don’t like the results generated by the AI?
A4: You can adjust your prompts in the generative fill dialog or make further selections using the lasso tool to guide the AI in generating a more suitable background.

Q5: Is it possible to refine the selection made by the lasso tool?
A5: Yes, while using the lasso tool, holding the Shift key allows you to add to your selection, and holding the Alt/Option key lets you remove areas from your selection.