10 Advanced Tips for Removing People from Complex Photos

Photography allows us to capture priceless moments in time, yet sometimes unwanted photobombers sneak their way into our shots. Whether it's an ex you'd rather forget or a random stranger disrupting your scenic landscape photo, having other people in your pictures can detract from reliving memories or showing off your artistic eye. 

Erasing people from photos opens up new possibilities for how you share and enjoy your personal photography. From isolating subjects with selection tools to reconstructing backgrounds using content-aware fill, these removal methods work like digital photoshop to transform your photos from taking up digital storage space to taking center stage on social platforms.

In this blog, you'll learn ten simple yet highly effective photo editing techniques for banishing people from your images.

1. Start Your Removal Journey by Assessing Your Photo's Qualities

Before diving into how to edit people out of photos, take a moment to examine your photo. Check for factors like background complexity, size of the person to remove, photo quality, and more. Photos with plain, high-contrast backgrounds make removals easiest, while low-res or heavily compressed images pose a challenge. Determine if you need to do any touch-ups first, like increasing clarity or brightness. Proper preparation leads to polished results.

2. Isolate the Person You Want to Eliminate Using Selection Tools

Most editors offer selection tools to precisely cut out parts of photos. Start by using the lasso or magnetic selection to trace around the edges of the person and create a selection mask. For hairy areas like hair or clothes against other objects, use the pen tool to trace individual strands or pieces. Save your selection so you can easily toggle back to make adjustments. Precise selection paves the way for seamless removal.

3. Remove Background Distractions to Simplify Your Selection

Before erasing people from photos, consider removing any background elements that overlap with the person. For example, cut out parts of trees or buildings showing through hair or limbs. A simpler background streamlines the removal process and makes filling in gaps easier. Take your time to carefully extract overlapping areas, checking that no remnants remain behind. A clean background sets the stage for a flawless finish.

• Carefully trace around overlapping areas with the lasso or pen tool and delete sections
• Zoom in to ensure no stray hairs or pieces are left behind
• Check your work by toggling the erased parts on and off on your layers panel

A clean background provides a blank canvas for seamless reconstruction.

4. Try the Content-Aware Fill Tool for Automatic Removals

The content-aware fill is a go-to for how to edit people out of photos and perform automatic person removals. With your person selected, go to Edit > Fill and select Content-Aware. Photoshop analyzes the surrounding image data and generates new content to replace the selection. While often impressive, results can be unpredictable. Preview carefully and make refinements as needed. When it works, content-aware fill saves loads of time.

• Content-aware fill works best for photos with plain, high-contrast backgrounds.
• Check for errors along hair and clothing edges, where algorithms sometimes struggle.
• Zoom way in and toggle between before and after views to spot anomalies.
• For large selections, consider filling in sections piece by piece for better results.
• Don't forget to save an edited copy in case you need to revert and patch manually.
• Experiment with adjusting the selected area slightly larger or smaller before filling.
• With some trial and error, content-aware fill can remove most or all of a subject.

5. Manually Patch Imperfect Content-Aware Fill Results

Inevitably, when erasing people from photos, content-aware fill leaves artifacts that require manual touch-ups. Switch to a brush and sample colors from around the selection to paint over problem spots. Build up layers of color and blend them together seamlessly. For thin wisps of hair, use the clone stamp tool to replicate strands from nearby areas. Take your time perfecting edges and transitions. Manual patching guarantees flawless results.

6. Consider Using the Clone Stamp Tool for Difficult Removals

For photos with complex backgrounds or where the person occupies a large area, try the clone stamp exclusively. Sample colors from similar surrounding areas and stamp them over the selection. Repeatedly stamp and blend to gradually replace the person. While tedious, cloning allows you to manually reconstruct any image. With patience and care, you can remove even the most difficult of subjects.

7. Don't Forget Small Background Details After Filling In Space

Occasionally, small background elements like blades of grass, pebbles, or flowers get cut out along with the person. After your main fill, zoom in and use a soft brush to rebuild tiny, omitted textures. Sample colors and patiently dab them back in. Missing details stick out like a sore thumb, so double check your work. Attention to minutiae completes the illusion that no one was ever there.

8. Adjust Colors, Lighting, and Shadows for a Seamless Blend

Your erased people from photos may now be shape-wise complete but look obviously patched in. Play with the color balance, levels, and curves tools to match lighting and shadows to the surrounding area. You can also use Dodge and Burn to subtly darken or brighten specific spots for realism. Take your time blending colors and testing different adjustments. Proper finishing touches make the removal imperceptible.

9. Add Finishing Layers Like Noise, Blur, and Vignetting

Final layers can disguise imperfections and enhance realism. Add noise matching the original photo quality. Slightly blurring edges integrates them. Darkening outer removal areas with a light vignette draws attention inward. Experiment with different effects and layer them conservatively. Subtle finishing makes the removal look like it was always meant to be.

10. Always Save Multiple Versions Through Your Process

As you refine your strategy on how to edit people out of photos, save individual versions along the way so you can easily return to earlier steps. Name files descriptively, like "Before removal," "After content fill," or "After patching." Having checkpoints allows you to walk back from mistakes without restarting from scratch. Version saving is editing insurance for perfect results.

You Did It! Your Photos Are Now People-Free! Enjoy Sharing Your Best Shots

With practice, removing people from photos becomes second nature. Use these tips as a starting point and customize your process for each unique image. With some trial and error, you'll be a pro at giving yourself photographic do-overs. Now you can share your favorite shots without distractions on social media. The memories captured in your images deserve to be seen in their best light.