Six tips for photos that cut out cleanly

Background removal tools are good, but they still work from what is in the photo. A few habits when you take pictures will save you time later.

1. Separate the subject from the background

A subject that differs in color and brightness from its surroundings is easiest to find. A dark jacket against a dark wall is hard for any tool, and for people too.

2. Use even light

Soft, even light, such as a window on an overcast day, avoids hard shadows that blur where the subject ends. Strong shadows on the ground can be mistaken for part of the subject.

3. Keep it sharp

A blurry outline gives the tool nothing definite to follow. Hold the camera steady and focus on the subject's edge, not the background.

4. Leave breathing room

Do not crop tightly around the subject. Space around it makes edges easier to see and gives you room to resize or reposition later.

5. Start with a high-resolution photo

More pixels means smoother edges, especially around hair and fine detail. Avoid heavily compressed or screenshot copies when you have the original.

6. Expect to touch up tricky areas

Hair, fur, glass, and thin objects are the hardest parts of any photo. After removing the background, zoom in and use the Restore and Erase brushes on those areas. It takes a minute and makes the cutout look professional.