Since it first came out, I’ve been so impressed with Photoshop’s Remove Tool. Whenever I used to teach about removing distractions, I had to teach 5 different tools. But now, most of the time, this one tool is all you need. Plus you’ll even get a little Lightroom tip at the end that I think you’ll enjoy. Thanks!
Step 1: Initial Lightroom Adjustments
- Initial Setup: Start by making basic adjustments in Lightroom to optimize the image exposure and color saturation.
- Cropping: Crop the image to focus on the main subject and remove parts of the photo that won’t be displayed, minimizing unnecessary editing work.
Step 2: Move to Photoshop
- Duplicate Layer: Once in Photoshop, duplicate the image layer. This allows you to edit non-destructively, keeping the original image intact for reference or to revert changes.
- Introduction to the Removal Tool: Switch to the Remove Tool and begin cleaning up the image. Adjust the tool’s settings to disable “Remove after each stroke,” providing more control over when changes are applied.
Step 3: Using the Removal Tool
- Cleaning Up: Use the removal tool to erase unwanted elements from the image. This might include distractions in the background or imperfections on the subject.
- Manual Commit: After making adjustments with the tool, manually commit each change by clicking the checkbox icon. This process involves painting over the target area and then confirming the removal.
Step 4: Advanced Masking Techniques
- Layer Masking: Apply a layer mask to the duplicate layer. This technique allows you to blend the edited layer with the original seamlessly, correcting any overly aggressive edits by revealing the untouched layer beneath.
- Selective Editing: Use selection tools to isolate areas that need protection during editing, such as the main subject, ensuring they are not affected by the broader changes being applied around them.
Step 5: Final Edits and Cleanup
- Clone Stamp Tool: If necessary, use the Clone Stamp Tool for final touch-ups. This tool can help remove residual smudges or blend the edges of edited areas more naturally. Even though I didn’t need it here, sometimes it can help.
- Merge Layers: Once you’re ready, merge the layers to consolidate changes and reduce the file size. This simplifies your layers so you have less to worry about.
Step 6: Returning to Lightroom for Final Adjustments
- Gradient Application: Back in Lightroom, apply a linear gradient to tone down overly bright areas that may distract from the subject. This helps balance the lighting across the image.
- Fine-Tuning the Gradient: Use the “Subtract Color Range” option within the gradient tool to fine-tune which areas are affected by the adjustment, so that the gradient doesn’t alter the subject or key elements of the composition.
Conclusion: Before-and-After Comparison
- Review Changes: Take a look at the before and after on your screen to really appreciate the difference in how far one tool was able to go.
- Saving and Exporting: Save the edited image to retain all adjustments and export as needed for print or digital use.
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Excellent tutorial. I took a photo of a golden eagle sitting in a tree. The bird is clear but, unfortunately, there is a branch in front of it right across the lower abdomen. Would the remove tool “know” to replace the branch with feathers? I’ll give it a try. In your example in this tutorial the distractions you removed weren’t across the bird.
Thanks for the tutorial of that great picture! I’m wondering if you have a tutorial on LR’s “new” develop tools. They are different in view than they used to be (plus my saved presets from you and others are gone,..where did they go???) and I’m confused about how to use them since they seem to be far more detailed. I watched you use the gradient tool in this tutorial, and I used to use it a lot, as well as the radial gradient, but it seemed more straightforward in the previous set-up, and now it leaves me puzzled. If you can help or direct me to help I would sure appreciate it. I have LR Classic on my laptop and have had for many years. I do most of my editing in PS, but I still want to understand both. Thanks Matt.
Hi Karen. I’m not sure what you’re referring to. There are no new develop tools in either version of Lightroom. They’ve been pretty much the same for the last year or two with very tiny changes. So anything you learned would be the same today as 99% of it hasn’t change. As for presets, if they’re not there then you’d just need to add them again. There’s no trick to making them appear if you don’t see them. Hope that helps.
If you look closely, the tool leaves a distinct crosshatch in the removed area, mainly on the larger areas.
To combat this you can use the Clone stamp tool on the areas that the hatch shows up in.
Thanks. My fix is don’t look closely… nobody else will ever be able to see that closely on the photo, and it will smooth out if you printed it large.
Very useful presentation.
Great video Matt.
Direct, clear and simple.
Thanks!!
Thanks matt, Great tutorial.
M stands for aMazing and Matt.
Good tutorial. Thanks Matt!
Thanks Matt
Thank you so much for the tutorial, Matt. I have started using PS’ Remove Tool for some time and now, after seeing how you also use and demonstrate the effectiveness of it, I will surely count it among my frequent go-to tools in Photoshop.
As always, Matt, I learn so much from watching your helpful videos. Thank you once again.
Thank you very much it was helpful and easy to follow
Thanks for the tutorial,Matt.
This tutorial is so helpful! I can’t wait to try it for removing the leash on some dog photos as well as branches and other distracting elements in my bird and wildlife photos. thanks!
Thanks for all the new updating tools.. you are the best. Keep it coming with your creative teaching…
Juergen Beck Freedom Light Productions
Thanks for taking time to give us this tutorial.
I love using the Removal Tool, it works so well, but thanks for the “extra” tricks…
Carl
Any chance toe Remove tool will make its way into LR?
As always, sincere thanks for showing us how you use a tool to improve the quality of a shot. So appreciated!
Great tip on Select/Invert to protect something before Removing! Really expands Remove’s capability. Can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for this video. One question, this is obviously very effective with a fairly uniform out of focus background. How good is the tool with a more busy or complicated background?
Probably not very good. It all depends on the photo. But if it were a cluttered texture background I’d probably never have liked the photo enough to work on it 😉
But you’ll never know until you try it.
Very cool. Why aren’t u with on 1 anymore. Miss ur videos
Hi. I was always a LR and PS user first. About 4-5 years ago, I eventually just found that incorporating on1 just didn’t fit for me anymore and slowed my workflow down, rather than helping it. Thanks!
Magic. Although, I would have left the large branch. It gives some continuity to the photo. What version of PS has the remove tool?
PS 2024
Great tutorial on the remove tool, which I don’t use much.
amazing
Interesting to learn the remove tool as I have been using the generative fill. After watching this video I can see how much more precise your steps are. Also, I definitely need to be more precise.
Nice tricks I hadn’t thought of, after using the remove tool.
Interesting
Nice tip! Really love your classes as well – just finished the Perfect Print class, which got me printing again, and using Epson Print Layout. Such a great process, and class.
Thanks for this great short and to the point tutorial on the remove tool.. I have been using it – but now I can do much more and make my image even better looking!
Excellent edit.
Thanks Matt for showing the remove tool!