Here's how to use the pen tool in Photoshop.
The pen tool is used to make a controlled
and detailed cutout.
This tool requires a little bit more time
to use over the magic wand or the quick selection tool,
but it can give you the best results.
Let's remove a single holiday cookie from this image.
First, open your image in Photoshop.
Then we're going to 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 pen 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 pen tool is easy to find. It looks like a pen.
Let's zoom in on a single cookie
and begin using the pen tool.
With the pen tool, we're going to make an outline
of the object we're trying to select.
Click on your image and make your first point
to start making your selection.
I'm going to start at a corner of the cookie.
Now you're going to begin working your way
around the object.
I'm going to go to the right.
You want to make a second point on the same curve,
not multiple curves later.
Click and hold on your next point.
Drag to create the curve
and line it up with what you're cutting out.
Then unclick.
Repeat this for the next point on the cutout.
Now, if your next point's curve is a little off,
hold down option and click on the curve-adjustment points
to adjust the curve, like this.
You can also hold down command
to move the cutout point if it is slightly off
or if you're unable to make the curve correct.
Repeat these steps all the way around the object
until you make it back to your first cutout point.
Click on the final cutout point to complete the cutout.
On the right, go to your layers panel.
Make sure you have selected your visible layer
and click on the work path tab.
Inside the work path box, hold down command and click.
This has created a selection
around the pen path drawn earlier.
Now that the object is selected,
go to the "Select" drop-down menu
and click "Select and Mask."
This will open up the select and mask workspace.
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,"
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.