How to make background white in photo photoshop: Detailed 10 steps

A clean white background can make your photos look professional and sharp. Are you looking to create such images with a clean white background in Photoshop? We’ve covered you.

In this guide, we’ll show you How to make background white in photo with 10 easy steps.

You have learned everything from unlocking the background layer, selecting the subject, and refining the edges to adding and filling a new layer with white.

Even if you’re new to the program, you can follow along and create a perfect white background for your images.

So, let’s scroll down slowly!

Why Use a White Background?

You should use a white background in photos because it makes your subject stand out, look clean, and give a professional touch.

Even, a white background works wonders for product photography, eCommerce, or even social media images.

Platforms like Amazon also require product photos to have pure white backgrounds. It will help to maintain visual consistency and professionalism across listings.


Not only that you may need to change any object color to white in Photoshop as needed. It also helps to get a stunning look of the images.

Now, you may know how important it is to learn how to put white background in Photoshop. Exactly here we’ve covered these methods.

How to make background white in photo: 10 steps

How to make background white in photo

To make a white background in Photoshop, we have to go through 10 detailed steps:

Step 1: Open Your Image and Duplicate the Background Layer
Step 2: Select the Subject of the Image
Step 3: Refine the Selection (Especially Around Hair)
Step 4: Refine Hair Using the Refine Edge Brush Tool
Step 5: Create a Layer Mask
Step 6: Add a White Background
Step 7: Clean Up the Hair with the Dodge and Burn Tools
Step 8: Add a Glow to Simulate Light Reflection
Step 9: Fine-Tuning the Glow with a Mask
Step 10: Save Your Image

Actually, it is a useful skill and great for product photography, fashion shoots, or social media content. So now let’s explore the detailed guide of How to make background white in photo using Photoshop.

How to put white background in photoshop

The bellowing detailed steps will help you to make a white background in your photos in Photoshop. Let’s try:

Step 1: Open Your Image and Duplicate the Background Layer

Duplicate Background Layer

To start, open your image in Photoshop. The first thing you should always do is duplicate the background layer. 

This keeps your original image intact in case you need to go back. 

  • Go to File > Open and select the image you want to work on.

In the Layers Panel (usually on the right side), right-click on the Background layer.

Then, choose Duplicate Layer from the options. You can name this new layer something like “Model Selection” or “Subject Layer” to help keep track of it.

This step creates a copy of your background layer, which you’ll work on without affecting the original image. 

Now, any changes you make will be on this duplicate layer, and give you the flexibility to undo or compare with the original.


Step 2: Select the Subject of the Image

Select the Subject of the Image

Next, we’ll use Photoshop’s automatic selection tools to isolate your subject from the background.

quick selection tool

Go to the Toolbar: On the left-hand side, find the Quick Selection Tool or press W on your keyboard.

Select Subject: At the top of the screen, you’ll see the Select Subject button. If you’re in Photoshop CC or newer, you can click this. Photoshop will automatically detect the subject in your image and make a selection around it.

Photoshop’s Select Subject tool uses artificial intelligence to determine the subject in the photo. 

In many cases, it will do a great job, but the selection may not be perfect for hair or complex edges.


Step 3: Refine the Selection (Especially Around Hair)

Hair, edges, and fine details can be tricky for any selection tool to capture perfectly. That’s why we use Select and Mask to refine the selection. Let’s read how:

Once your subject is selected, go to the top menu and choose Select > Select and Mask. This will open a new window where you can fine-tune the selection.

Now, In the Select and Mask workspace, you can change how the selection appears on your screen. 

For example, you can change it to Black and White mode, which makes it easier to see the contrast between your subject and the background.

Fine-Tune the Selection

On the right-hand panel, use the Smooth slider to slightly soften the edges of the selection. This reduces harsh, jagged lines and makes the selection more natural.

fine tune the selection

Then, drag the Contrast slider to make the whites whiter and the blacks darker. This helps define the edge between the subject and the background, making it crisper.

contrast slider

You can also add a slight feather to the selection to blend the edges more smoothly with the background. But be cautious here—a small amount is enough.


Step 4: Refine Hair Using the Refine Edge Brush Tool

Refine Hair Using the Refine Edge Brush Tool

Hair is one of the most challenging areas to select because it has fine strands, transparency, and uneven edges. 

The Refine Edge Brush Tool helps clean up areas around the hair and other tricky spots.

In the Select and Mask window, select the Refine Edge Brush Tool from the toolbar on the left (it looks like a brush with a dashed line around it).

Now, press Ctrl Alt Z (Windows) or Cmd Z (Mac) to zoom in on areas where the hair meets the background.

Finally, gently brush around the hairline. Photoshop will automatically detect the hair strands and try to separate them from the background. 

You’ll notice the hair looks more natural and less jagged as you brush.

For best results, focus on areas where the background shows through the hair, or where the hair has fine, flyaway strands.


Step 5: Create a Layer Mask

Now that your subject is selected and refined, it’s time to remove the background and isolate the subject. To do it:

In the Layers Panel, click the Layer Mask button (it looks like a rectangle with a circle inside). This will hide the background and reveal only your subject.

Create a Layer Mask

The mask is non-destructive, meaning you can always go back and tweak it if necessary. 

If parts of the background are still visible or if some areas of the subject were accidentally hidden, you can use the Brush Tool to paint on the mask.


Step 6: Add a White Background

With your subject isolated, you now need to add a white background behind it. So, go to the top menu and select Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color

  • In the color picker, choose pure white and click OK.

In the Layers Panel, drag the white fill layer below your subject layer. This will place the white background behind your isolated subject.

Now, you should have your subject on a white background. However, there may still be some cleanup needed, especially around the edges.


Step 7: Clean Up the Hair with the Dodge and Burn Tools

Even with careful selections, hair can still look a little off. The Dodge Tool and Burn Tool are useful for refining edges and bringing back some of the finer details in the hair.

First, press O on your keyboard or find the Dodge Tool in the toolbar. This tool lightens parts of the image.

In the top menu, set the Range to Highlights and reduce the Exposure to around 10-20%.

After that, carefully brush over the edges of the hair to lighten them. This helps bring back some of the details that may have been lost during the selection process.

If the Dodge Tool is revealing too much of the background, switch to the Burn Tool to darken those areas. 

The goal is to achieve a balance where the hair looks natural and detailed, without showing the background.


Step 8: Add a Glow to Simulate Light Reflection

When you place a subject against a white background, light naturally reflects off the background and creates a subtle glow around the subject. 

We can copy this effect to make the image look more realistic.

So, double-click on your subject’s layer to open the Layer Style window. From there, select Inner Shadow.

Then, adjust the Settings like below:

  • Change the Blend Mode to Overlay.
  • Set the color to white (#FFFFFF).
  • Increase the Opacity to 100% so you can see the effect clearly.
  • Adjust the Angle to 90 degrees to make the glow come directly from behind.
  • Play with the Size and Distance sliders until you achieve the desired glow effect.

This adds a soft light around the edges of your subject and  makes the transition between the subject and the background more natural.


Step 9: Fine-Tuning the Glow with a Mask

Sometimes, the glow effect can be too strong or uneven. To fix this, you can fine-tune the glow by turning it into a separate layer and masking certain areas.

  • In the Layers Panel, right-click on the FX icon next to your subject layer.
  • This will turn the glow effect into its own layer. Now, you can adjust it independently of the subject.
  • Click on the Mask button in the Layers Panel to create a mask for the glow layer. Use the Brush Tool (with a low opacity and black color) to paint over areas where the glow is too strong (like on the hands or other parts of the body).

This gives you full control over the glow.


Step 10: Save Your Image

Now that you’ve created a white background and refined your image, it’s time to save your work.

Go to File > Save As and choose Photoshop (.PSD) if you want to keep all your layers intact for future editing.

If you’re preparing the image for a website or social media, you’ll want to export it as a JPEG or PNG. 

Go to File > Export > Export As and choose the format that suits your needs. For web use, JPEG is great for photos, while PNG works better for images with transparency.


Final thought

Now you know how to make background white in photo, step by step. With our detailed guide, this method will be simple, effective, and easy to follow.

So, practice these steps, and soon enough, you’ll be creating flawless images with white backgrounds that look amazing.

If you enjoyed this guide and want to learn more about Photoshop techniques, comment us below. Our experts will aid you all the time.

How to color fill in photoshop

To apply a color fill in Photoshop, select the layer you want to fill. Then, go to the top menu, choose Edit > Fill, and select your desired color from the options.
Alternatively, you can use the Paint Bucket Tool or the Solid Color Fill Layer option for more flexibility.

What is my white background

A white background in Photoshop usually refers to a solid color layer set to white. It serves as the base layer, often used for designs, product photos, or any image requiring a neutral, clean background. You can edit this background by selecting it and filling it with a different color or texture.

How to color backgrounds

To color the background, you can create a new background layer or select the existing one. Use the Paint Bucket Tool or create a Solid Color Fill Layer. You can also use the Gradient Tool if you want a blend of multiple colors.

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