Masking hair in Photoshop CC can be one of the most challenging tasks in photo editing due to its fine details and uneven edges. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can easily separate even the most complex hairstyles from a background. Whether you're editing portraits, fashion photography, or any image with intricate hair details, these 5 basic steps will help you achieve professional-quality results. Click hear more details about Masking Hair in Photoshop CC in 5 Basic Steps.
Open Your Image and Duplicate the Layer
Start by opening the image that you want to work on in Photoshop CC. Once the image is loaded, it’s a good idea to create a duplicate of your original layer to work non-destructively. You can do this by right-clicking the layer in the Layers Panel and selecting Duplicate Layer or by pressing Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac).
This allows you to make edits without altering the original image, which can come in handy if you need to start over or compare the final result with the original image.
Make a Rough Selection Using the Quick Selection Tool
To start isolating the hair from the background, use the Quick Selection Tool. You can find this tool on the left toolbar, or simply press W on your keyboard to activate it. The Quick Selection Tool automatically detects edges as you click and drag around your subject, making it ideal for rough selections.
Click and drag around the area of the hair and subject that you want to mask. Don't worry about getting it perfect right away—just focus on selecting as much of the subject (including the hair) as possible. The goal here is to roughly separate the subject from the background.
Refine the Edges with Select and Mask
Once you've made a rough selection of the subject, you’ll need to refine the edges for more detail, especially around the hair. This is where the Select and Mask feature comes into play. To access it, go to the top menu and click Select > Select and Mask.
This will open a new workspace specifically for refining your selection. On the right-hand side, you'll see sliders like Radius, Smooth, Feather, and Contrast. Adjust these sliders to refine the selection, particularly around the edges of the hair.
The most important tool for hair masking in this step is the Refine Edge Brush Tool, which you can select from the left-hand panel. Use this tool to paint around the edges of the hair, allowing Photoshop to detect the fine strands and create a more accurate mask. As you brush over the hair, Photoshop will intelligently refine the selection by detecting subtle details in hair strands and eliminating the background.
Output the Mask
After you’ve refined the selection, scroll down to the Output Settings on the right side of the Select and Mask panel. From the dropdown menu, choose Layer Mask as the output option. This will add a mask to the duplicated layer, hiding the background while preserving the hair’s detail.
Click OK to apply the mask. You should now see your subject’s hair cut out with a transparent background, but the mask is editable, allowing you to continue refining the image.
Fine-Tune the Mask
Sometimes, even after using the Select and Mask feature, the mask might not be perfect. You may notice some areas of the background still visible between hair strands or the edges of the hair looking unnatural. To fine-tune this, select the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers Panel, and use the Brush Tool (B) to paint over the mask.
White reveals parts of the image, while Black hides them.
Use a soft brush with a low opacity for blending edges and fixing any rough spots around the hair.
For further refinement, you can also adjust the mask by going to Properties and adjusting the Feather or Density of the mask. Feathering smooths out the edges of the mask, making it blend more naturally with the background.
Bonus Tips for Masking Hair
Use Channels: If the background is a solid color or has a strong contrast with the hair, you can use the Channels panel to create a more detailed selection. Duplicate the channel with the most contrast between the hair and background, and use Levels to darken the hair and lighten the background. Then, load this channel as a selection for more precise hair masking.
Background Replacement: If you’re replacing the background, make sure the new background complements the hair. Choose a background that doesn’t make the hair look unnaturally cut out. A subtle blur or adjustment to lighting can help the subject blend in better with the new environment.
Conclusion
Masking hair in Photoshop CC might seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and tools, it becomes a manageable process. The key is to use a combination of the Quick Selection Tool, Select and Mask, and Layer Masks to capture the fine details of hair. With practice, you’ll be able to isolate hair in any image, even in challenging scenarios where stray strands and intricate details need attention.
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