How To Change a Background With Photoshop Elements?

by Angela
(Queens, NY)

Q: How can I change the background in a picture and insert a new backgroud?


A: That is a very interesting picture Angela.

To accomplish what you want to do I think the best approach would be to use the Magic Extractor Tool.

With that technique you don't really insert a new background but you remove the object from the photo and place it over a new background.

The Magic Extractor Tool does a good job of removing objects from their background. Once you have the object extracted from the original background you can drag it onto a new image.

I will list the basic steps and then give you a link to a video that shows the process. Here are the steps:

1. Open your original photo.
2. Go up to the Image menu and choose Magic Extractor…. A new dialog window will open.
3. Paint over the part you want to keep with the Foreground Brush. Paint over the parts you want gone with the Background Brush.
4. Click the Preview Button and check it out.
5. Touch-up as necessary using the Add To and Remove From tools. Add a slight feather.
6. Click OK to Extract.
7. Leave that photo open and also open your new background image in Elements.
8. Drag your Extracted photo over the image of the new background and release the mouse button to place it in the new photo as a new Layer.
9. Move and resize as desired.

That is a rough outline of the basic steps. Check out the Magic Extractor video to actually see it being done.

Between studying these steps and watching the video hopefully you can get the results you want.

If you have any questions or need more clarification use the add your own comments link below and let me know what you need help with.

Good luck Angela!

Take care,
Rick