Hair masking in Adobe Photoshop is a technique used to isolate hair from its background, which is particularly useful when you want to replace the background or make detailed adjustments to the hair. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieve this:
Step 1: Open Your Image
Open Adobe Photoshop.
Load the image you want to work on by going to File > Open.
Step 2: Duplicate the Background Layer
In the Layers panel, right-click on the Background layer and select Duplicate Layer.
This creates a copy of your original image, preserving the original in case you need to revert.
Step 3: Select the Subject
With the duplicated layer selected, go to Select > Subject.
Photoshop will automatically detect and select the main subject in the image, including the hair.
Step 4: Refine the Selection
Go to Select > Select and Mask.
In the Select and Mask workspace, use the Refine Edge Brush Tool to carefully brush over the edges of the hair. This tool helps in capturing fine details like stray hairs.
Adjust the Smooth, Feather, Contrast, and Shift Edge sliders to refine the selection further.
Step 5: Output the Selection
In the Output Settings, choose New Layer with Layer Mask from the Output To dropdown menu.
Click OK to apply the mask.
Step 6: Fine-Tune the Mask
Zoom in to check the edges of the hair.
Use the Brush Tool with a soft edge to paint on the mask with black or white to hide or reveal parts of the hair as needed.
Step 7: Add a New Background
Create a new layer and place it below the masked layer.
Fill this new layer with a color or gradient, or add a new background image.
Step 8: Final Adjustments
Make any final adjustments to the hair or background using adjustment layers like Brightness/Contrast, Hue/Saturation, etc.
Merge the layers if necessary and save your work.
Tips:
Use a High-Resolution Image: Higher resolution images provide more detail, making it easier to mask fine hair strands.
Patience is Key: Hair masking can be time-consuming, especially with complex hair. Take your time to refine the selection.
Practice: The more you practice, the better you’ll get at using the tools and techniques for hair masking.
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively mask hair in Adobe Photoshop, allowing for detailed edits and background changes.
Let’s quick learn and watch this video.