Photoshop: Extracting Images

This tutorial shows you some tips and tricks when extracting images.
All images used in this tutorial are copyright © Getty Images.

Step 1

Find an image you would like to extract. I will use the zebra.

Step 2

A very common way to extract images is to use the Polygonal Lasso tool. Select it and zoom in until you can clearly see the pixels (I usually zoom in about 700%). Select the area you want to remove and simply press Delete. Keep deleting areas until you're satisfied, and then save it as a PNG or a GIF. Transparency will be added automatically (note: make sure your background is transparent before saving, like in the second image below).

Step 3

Now, for some small tips when extracting images.
1. Tools are not limited to the lasso tools. You could also use the Background Eraser tool (not that good) and the Eraser tool (nice together with the polygonal lasso tool). You could also use the Magic Wand tool (works OK sometimes on pure white backgrounds) or the Pen tool. Personally, I think the Polygonal Lasso / Pen tools gives the best results.
2. When extracting an image, the best result is given when you delete areas very, very close to the lines (if there are any). It prevents the annoying white pixels to appear.
3. Try to add different background colors in a new layer when you're done deleting areas. This way, you can find annoying little pixels (usually white) which would make the image look horrible on a dark background.
4. Always look for high-quality images to extract. If the image is in low-quality, you could try to resize it after you're done deleting areas to make it look a bit better. If it still looks horrible, try playing around with curves (Ctrl + M) or the Brightness/Contrast (Image - Adjustments - Brightness/Contrast).