Learn how to combine Select Subject with Refine Edges to cut out a subject, clean up the selection, and place it on a new background. You will show both the Before and After results on your poster.
Choose Your Image
Select a photo with a clear subject that you want to separate from the background.
Make an Initial Selection
Use Select Subject to automatically highlight your subject.
Apply a Layer Mask to hide the background.
Refine Edges
Go to Select > Select and Mask.
Use the Refine Edge Brush Tool to improve fine details like hair or fabric.
Adjust Feather and Shift Edge until the cutout looks natural.
Try Decontaminate Colors if you notice leftover color fringing.
Replace the Background
Add a new layer beneath your subject.
Fill it with a solid color, gradient, or even another photo background.
Experiment with softening the edges using Select > Feather or applying a Gaussian Blur.
Prepare Your Before & After
Before: Show the original photo with the subject still on its original background.
After: Show the subject cut out and placed on the new background.
Add to Your Poster
Place Before on the left, After on the right.
Label the section Select Subject + Refine Edges.
Add a short caption: “Refined selection with clean edges and new background.”
✅ Both Before and After images are included and aligned.
✅ Subject cutout edges are smooth and natural.
✅ Background replacement looks realistic (no halos or jagged lines).
✅ Section is clearly labelled with a short description.