Here's how to use the quick selection tool
in Photoshop.
The quick selection tool works best
with objects or backgrounds that are a little more complex.
Let's remove the sky in this landscape photo.
First, duplicate the layer.
This keeps a nondestructive version of the image
available for reference.
In the layers panel, left-click
and drag your background image down
to the "Create a new layer" icon.
Now click the layer-visibility icon
for the background layer.
This will make the background layer hidden.
Now let's locate the quick selection tool
in the tools panel on the left side.
Depending on what workspace you're in,
the organization of the tools may look different.
We are using the Essentials workspace,
which is Photoshop's default.
The fourth tool down is where
the quick selection tool is located.
To find it, you may need to right-click
to expand this tool submenu.
Then select "Quick Selection Tool."
Adjust your quick selection brush size
to something smaller than your background
but not too large.
Use the left and right bracket keys to adjust size
or the pull-down menu at the top.
Make sure you have selected your visible layer
and start selecting parts of your background
until the background is fully selected.
If the selection has expanded beyond the background,
we will refine that now.
To add or remove some of the selection,
use the tools at the top labeled "Add to selection"
and "Subtract from selection."
In our example, the selection has expanded
into some of the peaks of the mountains.
Let's use the "Subtract from selection" tool.
Again, use your bracket keys or the drop-down menu
to adjust the selection tool size.
Here we want a brush size smaller
than the size of the selection area we are removing.
Now click in the area
where you want to remove the selection
that has expanded past the background.
Repeat this with any discrepancies
with the entire selection.
Go to the "Select" drop-down menu
and click "Select and Mask."
This will open up the select and mask workspace.
A checkered background is transparent
and is what's being removed or masked by your selection.
If your background is showing and the object is missing,
go to the right menu and click "Invert."
Here you can make adjustments
to your selection to refine it.
Adding a slight feather is always a good starting point
and will help with making your image more seamless
with any background you put behind it.
Go down to "Output Settings"
and make sure "Output To" has "Layer Mask" selected
and click "OK."
Your background is now removed,
and you can save this as a PNG file type,
which keeps the background transparent
and saves a cutout version of the image.
To export, open the "File" drop-down menu
and go to "Export," then select "Export As."
Change format to PNG.
Here you can also change your image size.
And then click "Export."
Name your file and save.
Your image is now saved as a cutout
with a transparent background
and ready for any background
you want to put behind it.