How to Cut Someone Out of a Picture

You’ve probably had that moment where a great photo is ruined by an unwanted person in the background or someone who no longer fits into your memories. It happens to the best of us, and thankfully, cutting someone out of a picture is easier than you might think. In this blog, we’ll show you the tools, tricks, and techniques you need to erase that unwanted person and create a perfectly cropped image. Whether you’re using professional software or free apps, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Getting Started: The Tools You Need

When it comes to cutting someone out of a picture, the right tools can make a huge difference. There are plenty of options, depending on your skill level and the software you have access to.

Professional Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the go-to tool for many professional photographers and graphic designers. It’s packed with powerful features, and while it can be overwhelming at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make precise edits.

  • Quick Selection Tool: This tool allows you to select the person or object you want to remove. Simply click and drag around the person, and Photoshop will help you create a selection.
  • Content-Aware Fill: After selecting the unwanted person, you can use the Content-Aware Fill option to fill in the area with matching pixels from the surrounding image. It’s like magic for editing!
  • Layer Masking: This allows you to hide portions of the image rather than delete them completely, giving you more flexibility in editing.

Free Editing Software: GIMP

If you’re not ready to commit to Photoshop, GIMP is a great free alternative that offers many of the same features. It might not have all of Photoshop’s bells and whistles, but it can still get the job done.

  • Fuzzy Select Tool: Similar to Photoshop’s Quick Selection Tool, the Fuzzy Select tool allows you to highlight areas of the image you want to work on.
  • Healing Tool: Use this to blend areas of the image and make your edit look seamless.
  • Layer Masks: Just like in Photoshop, GIMP allows you to use layer masking to remove someone from a photo without completely destroying the original.

Online Tools: Canva and Fotor

For quick edits or if you don’t have time to learn complex software, online tools like Canva or Fotor can be lifesavers. They are user-friendly and perfect for basic tasks.

  • Canva: Simply upload your image, select the unwanted person, and use the erase tool to remove them. Canva’s easy drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to cut someone out without much effort.
  • Fotor: Fotor has an automatic background remover that works great for cutting someone out quickly. After removing the person, you can fine-tune the image with the touch-up features.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cut Someone Out Using Photoshop

Now that you have your tool of choice, let’s break down the process step-by-step using Photoshop.

Step 1: Open the Image

Start by opening the photo in Photoshop. Ensure that you have the right resolution and file format to work with.

Step 2: Select the Person

Use the Quick Selection Tool or Pen Tool to trace the outline of the person you want to remove. If you’re working with a more complicated background, the Pen Tool might give you cleaner results. Make sure to zoom in and get as close to the edges as possible.

Step 3: Refine the Selection

After you’ve selected the person, click on Select and Mask. This feature helps you refine the edges of your selection, making sure you don’t accidentally cut into other parts of the image.

Step 4: Remove the Person

Once you have a clean selection, press Delete to remove the person from the photo. Now, you’ll see a blank space where the person used to be.

Step 5: Fill the Space

Here’s where Photoshop’s Content-Aware Fill comes into play. Simply go to Edit > Fill, and select Content-Aware. Photoshop will automatically fill in the area based on the surrounding pixels, making it look like the person was never there.

Step 6: Tidy Up

You might need to touch up certain areas. Use the Clone Stamp Tool or the Healing Brush Tool to fix any imperfections left behind. These tools help blend the edges and make the edit look seamless.

Step 7: Final Adjustments

Make any final adjustments, like cropping the image or adjusting the lighting, to ensure everything looks natural.

Step-by-Step Guide: Cutting Someone Out Using GIMP

GIMP is a fantastic free alternative to Photoshop, and here’s how you can use it to cut someone out of a picture.

Step 1: Open the Image

Launch GIMP and load your image into the program.

Step 2: Select the Person

Select the Fuzzy Select Tool or Free Select Tool to outline the person you want to cut out. If you’re using the Free Select Tool, carefully trace around the person’s edges.

Step 3: Refine the Selection

Once the person is selected, refine the selection by adding or subtracting areas. You can use the Add to Selection and Subtract from Selection options to fine-tune.

Step 4: Delete the Person

Press Delete on your keyboard to remove the selected area. GIMP will leave a transparent space where the person was.

Step 5: Fill the Empty Space

To fill in the empty area, select the Healing Tool and paint over the blank space. You may also need to use the Clone Tool to make the fill look more natural.

Step 6: Final Touches

After filling in the gaps, use the Smudge Tool or the Blur Tool to smooth out any rough edges and create a seamless look.

Alternatives for Quick Edits: Canva and Fotor

If you need to quickly cut someone out without learning complex software, tools like Canva or Fotor can do the job with minimal effort. Here’s how to use each one:

Canva

  1. Upload your image to Canva.
  2. Use the Background Remover tool (available in the pro version) to erase the unwanted person.
  3. Use the Erase Tool to fine-tune the edges and remove any leftover areas you don’t need.

Fotor

  1. Upload your image to Fotor’s online editor.
  2. Click on Background Remover to automatically detect and remove the unwanted person from the image.
  3. Use the touch-up tools to blend the area and make your edit look natural.

Tips for Perfecting Your Edits

Here are a few pro tips to make your cuts look flawless:

  • Use Layer Masks: Whether you’re in Photoshop, GIMP, or any other software, layer masks give you flexibility. Instead of permanently deleting parts of your image, layer masks allow you to hide portions of it. This way, you can always bring things back if needed.
  • Fine-Tune Edges: Cutting someone out of a picture often leaves jagged or hard edges. Use soft brushes or feather the selection to make the edges blend naturally into the rest of the image.
  • Watch the Shadows: Shadows often give away the fact that something has been removed. If your cut affects a shadow, be sure to adjust it or clone parts of the background to make the shadow look natural.
  • Use the Clone Stamp Tool: When you have small details that need fixing, the Clone Stamp Tool can help you copy pixels from other parts of the image to patch things up.

Final Thoughts

Cutting someone out of a picture is more than just a simple task of erasing someone’s face from the frame. It involves careful selection, precision editing, and a little creativity. Whether you’re using high-end tools like Photoshop or simple free alternatives like GIMP, the process remains largely the same: select, delete, and fill in the gaps. If you follow these steps and pay attention to the details, you can create a seamless image that looks like the unwanted person was never there. With practice, your editing skills will improve, and you’ll be able to remove people from photos with ease, leaving behind only the memories you want to preserve.