How to Use the Remove Tool in Photoshop

Photo Editing  •  Photography Tips  •  Photoshop Tutorials

In this recent video, pro photographer Matt Kloskowski covered the latest updates to Adobe Photoshop. Here are some of the most important takeaways from his in-depth exploration of the new features:

Arguably the highlight of this recent update, the new Remove tool has quickly become a favorite for Kloskowski. Grouped with the Spot Healing Brush and the Healing Brush, this new tool helps in removing unwanted elements from the photo.

The Remove Tool

The Remove tool is quite straightforward to use with its brush size that can be altered using the right and left bracket keys. There are options such as ‘Sample All Layers’, useful when working on a multi-layer document, and ‘Remove after each stroke’. The latter option, when turned off, allows you to paint more precisely without the tool immediately acting after each stroke, which can be helpful in achieving more precise results.

Addition with the Remove Tool

Despite its name, the Remove tool can also be used to add elements to an image. For example, if a certain part of the photo seems empty, you can use this tool to paint over that area. Photoshop then analyzes the surrounding areas to determine what to add, providing a great way to add more symmetry or balance to a photo.

Context Sensitive Bar

This feature provides options based on the layer you are working on. For instance, when you’re on a background layer, you can do ‘Select Subject’ or ‘Remove Background’. Once a selection is made, a pop-up bar appears with various selection-related tasks. Although these tasks have been available for some time, having them at your fingertips saves time.

Visual Presets

The recent update now includes visual presets located in the adjustments panel. Once you find one that suits your needs, you can simply click on it, and it will create a layer group with layers inside of it, giving you an adjustable preset for your image.

Interactive Handles for Gradients

For those who use gradients, the update brings more interactive handles. Depending on the gradient chosen, you will see multiple handles that help control the fall off between different colors. This feature can be especially useful for designers and photographers who frequently use gradients.

Final Thoughts

While this update focused on Photoshop, Kloskowski mentions that Adobe Lightroom also received updates the previous month, and encourages viewers to check them out. As always, the beauty of these updates lies in the fact that they increase the potential for creativity, making the tools even more versatile and powerful for users.

It’s important to note that, despite the impressive capabilities of these tools, they may not always achieve perfect results straight out of the box. As Kloskowski says, they might get you 70% of the way there, and you do the rest of the work. This is an important reminder of the vital role of personal touch and expertise in photo editing, which even the most advanced tools can’t replace.

For further training: Matt’s Photoshop System at 44% Off