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People often find themselves in situations where they want to remove someone from a photo, whether it’s to create a better composition or simply to remove an unwanted person. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier to edit photos on our smartphones. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to cut people out of photos using an iPhone. We will discuss step-by-step instructions as well as the pros and cons of each method.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To cut people out of photos on your iPhone, you will need the following:
1. An iPhone with a camera
2. A photo editing app (we will be using the Adobe Photoshop Express app in this tutorial, but you can use any other photo editing app with similar features)
What Requires Your Focus?
Before diving into the methods, it is important to know that removing people from photos requires precision and attention to detail. You will need to focus on accurately selecting the person you want to cut out and refine the edges to make the final result look natural. Patience is key when it comes to photo editing, so take your time and don’t rush through the process.
Method 1. How to Cut People Out of Photos Using Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express is a powerful photo editing app that offers various tools for manipulating images. Here’s how you can use it to cut people out of your photos:
1. Download and install the Adobe Photoshop Express app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and tap on the "+" icon to import the photo you want to edit.
3. Once the photo is imported, tap on the "Tools" icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll through the tools and select "Remove" from the list.
5. Using your finger, draw a selection around the person you want to cut out. Be as precise as possible to avoid including any unwanted details.
6. After drawing the selection, tap on the "Remove" button at the bottom of the screen.
7. The app will automatically remove the selected person and replace the background with a plain color.
8. If you want to refine the edges or make any additional adjustments, you can use the "Refine" tool under the "Tools" section.
9. Once you are satisfied with the result, tap on the checkmark icon to save your edited photo.
Pros:
1. Easy to use interface.
2. Offers precise selection tools.
3. Provides options for refining edges and making adjustments.
Cons:
1. Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
2. The automatic background replacement might not always produce the desired result.
Method 2. How to Cut People Out of Photos Using TouchRetouch
TouchRetouch is another popular app that allows you to remove unwanted objects or people from your photos. Here’s how you can use it to cut people out:
1. Download and install the TouchRetouch app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and import the photo you want to edit.
3. Tap on the "Brush" icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Use your finger to paint over the person you want to remove. The app will automatically detect and highlight the selected area.
5. Once you have selected the person, tap on the "Go" button at the bottom of the screen.
6. The app will remove the selected person and fill in the background to make it blend seamlessly.
7. If there are any remaining artifacts or imperfections, you can use the "Lasso" tool to refine the selection.
8. Once you are satisfied with the result, tap on the "Save" icon to save your edited photo.
Pros:
1. Offers a user-friendly interface.
2. Provides automatic detection and removal of selected areas.
3. Allows for additional refinements using the "Lasso" tool.
Cons:
1. Some advanced features require a paid upgrade.
2. The automatic removal might not always produce perfect results.
Method 3. How to Cut People Out of Photos Using Snapseed
Snapseed is a powerful photo editing app developed by Google. While it doesn’t have a specific tool for removing people from photos, it offers a range of other tools that can be used to achieve a similar effect. Here’s how you can use Snapseed to cut people out:
1. Download and install the Snapseed app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and import the photo you want to edit.
3. Select the "Healing" tool from the list of editing tools.
4. Use your finger to brush over the person you want to remove. The app will analyze the surrounding areas and try to fill in the gap intelligently.
5. If the healing tool doesn’t produce the desired result, you can try using the "Clone" tool to manually replace the person with a similar background.
6. Use the "Brush" tool to refine the edges and make any necessary adjustments.
7. Once you are satisfied with the result, tap on the checkmark icon to save your edited photo.
Pros:
1. Offers a wide range of editing tools.
2. Provides advanced features like healing and cloning.
3. Allows for precise control over the editing process.
Cons:
1. May require more manual work compared to dedicated removal tools.
2. Might take some time to master all the editing tools.
Method 4. How to Cut People Out of Photos Using PicsArt
PicsArt is a popular photo editing app that offers a comprehensive set of tools for editing and manipulating images. Here’s how you can use it to cut people out of your photos:
1. Download and install the PicsArt app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and import the photo you want to edit.
3. Tap on the "Tools" icon at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll through the tools and select "Cutout" from the list.
5. Use your finger to trace along the outline of the person you want to cut out. The app will automatically generate a cutout based on your selection.
6. If the initial cutout is not accurate, you can use the eraser and brush tools to refine the selection.
7. Once you are satisfied with the cutout, tap on the checkmark icon to apply the changes.
8. The app will remove the selected person and replace the background with a transparent or solid color.
9. If desired, you can further edit the photo using other tools offered by PicsArt.
10. Finally, tap on the save icon to save your edited photo.
Pros:
1. Offers a wide range of editing tools.
2. Provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
3. Allows for precise selection and easy background replacement.
Cons:
1. Some advanced features require a paid subscription.
2. The automatic cutout might not always produce accurate results.
Why Can’t I Cut People Out of Photos?
There are a few common reasons why cutting people out of photos might be challenging. Here are some possible reasons and their fixes:
1. The person is too close to the background: If the person you want to remove is standing or sitting too close to the background, it can be difficult to create a clean cutout. In such cases, you can try using a photo editing app that offers advanced tools for refining edges and removing unwanted details.
2. Complex backgrounds: If the background behind the person is intricate or has a lot of details, it can be challenging to cut out the person without leaving behind artifacts or distortions. In these cases, you can try using a combination of tools like cloning or healing to replace the person with a similar background.
3. Poor lighting or image quality: Low light conditions or poor image quality can make it harder to accurately select the person you want to remove. If the lighting is uneven or the image is blurry, it can affect the precision of your selection. In such cases, try using a photo editing app that offers tools for adjusting exposure, contrast, and sharpness.
Implications and Recommendations
When cutting people out of photos, it is important to consider the ethical implications and be mindful of the impact it might have on individuals or groups. Here are some recommendations:
1. Respect privacy: Always obtain consent from the people involved before editing or sharing their photos. Respect their right to privacy and avoid using their images without permission.
2. Be cautious with context: Consider the context in which the photo is being used. Removing people from historical or documentary photos might alter the accuracy and integrity of the image. Exercise caution and ensure that the edits are appropriate for the intended purpose.
3. Use professional software for complex edits: If you require more advanced edits or need to remove people from complex images, consider using professional software like Adobe Photoshop on a computer. These tools offer more precise controls and advanced features for manipulating images.
5 FAQs about Cutting People Out of Photos
Q1: Can I cut people out of photos using the default Photos app on my iPhone?
A: No, the default Photos app on iPhone doesn’t provide a direct tool for cutting people out of photos. You will need to use a dedicated photo editing app from the App Store for this purpose.
Q2: Are there any free photo editing apps that can cut people out of photos?
A: Yes, there are several free photo editing apps available on the App Store that offer tools for cutting people out of photos. Some popular free options include Adobe Photoshop Express, Snapseed, and PicsArt.
Q3: Can I cut people out of photos without leaving any traces or artifacts?
A: While photo editing apps provide tools for removing people, it is challenging to achieve a completely seamless result. Depending on the complexity of the image and the level of detail, there might be some traces or artifacts left behind. However, with careful selection and refinements, you can minimize their visibility.
Q4: Will cutting people out of photos affect the image quality?
A: Cutting people out of photos will not directly affect the image quality. However, it is important to use the appropriate tools and techniques to ensure that the edits blend seamlessly with the rest of the image. Poorly executed edits can result in a noticeable decrease in overall image quality.
Q5: Can I undo the edits if I’m not satisfied with the result?
A: Yes, most photo editing apps allow you to undo or revert the edits if you are not satisfied with the result. Make sure to save a backup of the original photo before making any edits, so you can always go back to the original version if needed.
Final Words
Cutting people out of photos can be a useful technique for various purposes, but it requires precision and attention to detail. In this blog post, we explored different methods to cut people out of photos using an iPhone. Each method offers its own set of tools and features to achieve the desired result. Remember to always respect the privacy of individuals and the integrity of the image when making edits. With practice and experimentation, you can master the art of cutting people out of photos and create stunning compositions.