How to Make Objects Disappear from Photos Using Photoshop

Otherwise perfect photographs are often obstructed by unwanted objects or people. It is possible to hide these unwanted invaders from the naked eye forever!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop (CS version referenced in this article)
• digital copy of photograph
• patience

1. Paul Sr. and Mikey from Orange County Choppers. Open the picture that requires editing. Study the image and determine which objects should be removed. Let's assume that the offending object is a person. Analyze the area all around that person. Are they casting shadows? Are they blocking a person or object that will be difficult to recreate? Assuming the background is not too "busy", it may not be difficult to remove the person from this picture.
2. Close-up view of his hand on the table. Although it is tempting to use the smudge tool in Photoshop to just wipe background colors over this person, it would be very obvious to people viewing the photo that some edit has occurred. The intent of this article is to teach users how to wipe a person or object completely from existence without leaving evidence that they were ever present in the photo. Pick a point to start removing the person and zoom in close to that area using the "zoom tool."
3. Selection copied and pasted using the lasso tool. Now, select the "lasso tool" from the tools menu and copy a small section of the background from just beside the person. To do this, click and hold the left mouse button down and drag the lasso around the portion of the background that you would like to select and copy. On the menu at the top, choose "Edit" and then "Copy" (you may also press Ctrl+C) This will save the selection to the clipboard. Now choose "Edit" again and then click "Paste." A copy of the selection will be added to the picture on a new layer. It may not be immediately visible as it is usually pasted directly on top of the original spot.
4. He's beginning to slowly disappear! Select the "move tool" and click and hold the left mouse button anywhere inside the photo. As you move the mouse, you will see the small piece of pasted background begin to move around. Position this piece over the person in the area just beside where the selection was copied in a way that gives the background the appearance of a natural flow. Now, click "Layer" from the menu at the top and then select "flatten image." This will combine the layers that have been pasted with the background image. Repeat this step a few times, placing the pieces of background over different parts of the person. Be sure to pay attention to changes in the background. If there is a shadow or a change of color, you will need to follow this change closely so as not to draw attention to your edits. It may be necessary to rotate or change the size of the pasted item to make it blend well. These options are available under the "Edit" menu and then "Transform."
5. Uh... has anybody seen Paul Sr.? It may be necessary to create new portions of the background using existing pieces. Be creative. It becomes easier with practice to manipulate photos. Just remember to use the copy/paste method and minimal smudging. If the background has texture, it will look more natural to keep that texture intact.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch for changes in patterns, shadows, and colors, and follow these changes closely as you edit the photograph.
• You may use the smudge tool to fill in small areas, but use it sparingly.
• Only make changes to photographs for which you hold the copyright.