3 Ways to Make Silhouette in Photoshop in 2024

By Tata Rossi 5 days ago, Photoshop Tips

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If silhouette photography seems appealing to you, and you wish to keep this effect on your images, you have to be aware of the several strategies on how to make silhouette in Photoshop. Employing this detailed tutorial, you will be able to produce silhouettes easily as the main compositional & stylistic facilities, and also correct the poor lighting in such an original manner.

Method #1 With the Quick Selection Tool

This strategy will be useful if you have to convert photo to silhouette Photoshop by removing the image background.

1. Choose an Image

make silhouette in photoshop choosing an image

The first action in my Photoshop tutorial is to import a picture with the silhouette-to-be. To do so, you have to open Photoshop, go to File, select Open and find an image on your PC.

2. Duplicate a Layer

make silhouette in photoshop duplicate layer

Duplicate an image (a background layer) on the layer panel. Select a background layer and press Command + J (Ctrl + J for Windows) in order to duplicate it.

3. Choose Quick Selection Tool

make silhouette in photoshop quick selection tool

On the instruments dashboard choose Quick Selection Tool. You can also select this tool, pressing W.

4. Highlight the Contour of the Object You Want to be a Silhouette

make silhouette in photoshop object highlighting

Tap on Quick Selection Tool and drag it over the picture rapidly to choose the object.

5. Remove the Background

make silhouette in photoshop background removal

Now you are prepared to remove the background of a picture in Photoshop. Beforehand, ensure you outline the object in a right way.

In order to re-select or deselect components of the chosen area, opt for a brush with a minus sign and paint on the field to delete the selection. After that, you can revert to re-select. Tap on Delete.

6. Open Layer Styles

make silhouette in photoshop layer styles

Double tap on the layer using the layer panel, and you will open styles of the layer for the preferred one.

7. Make Settings

make silhouette in photoshop settings

To produce a black silhouette, select the Color Overlay and the customize the settings of Normal and 100% Black. That’s it!

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Willing to Refine Your Silhouette Photos?

If you want your silhouette photos look like professional ones, FixThePhoto platform will come in handy. Experts in editing will elaborate on the light, add a more dynamic contrast, adjust the colors and meet your other demands.

Method #2 With the Pen Tool

One more technique of a silhouette photoshopping is to apply the Pen Tool, which will enable you to make a perfect Photoshop cut out. This technique is widely used for creating plain shape silhouettes.

1. Open the Image

make silhouette in photoshop opening an image

Use the same action as in the strategy before – open the picture you wish to use for your silhouette.

2. Select the Pen Tool

make silhouette in photoshop pen tool selection

On the tools dashboard choose the Pen Tool. As an option, you can do so tapping on P.

3. Outline the Edges of Your Silhouette

make silhouette in photoshop pen tool highlight

Utilize Pen Tool to outline the area you want to make silhouette from. Do not forget to close the line and connect the first and last dot.

4. Right-Click on the Path

make silhouette in photoshop make selection option

Click right mouse button on the path and opt for the Make Selection. You will see a settings window and you will be able to add Feather Radius to the edges or leave everything as it is and press OK.

5. Copy Path for New Layer

make silhouette in photoshop copy path

Press Command + J (or Ctrl + J if you’re on Windows) to outline and copy the chosen area (Pen Tool path) to a new layer. You can conceal the background picture layer to make the background transparent to evaluate the result.

6. Choose Color Overlay to Add a Color

make silhouette in photoshop adding color

Double click on the cutout picture on the Layers dashboard and choose Color Overlay to insert black or another color to the silhouette. That’s it.

Method #3 With the Brush Tool

This technique is not as comfortable as the two previous methods. If you are too confused and all methods mentioned didn’t work for your image, select one of these simple silhouette photo apps.

1. Open the Image

make silhouette in photoshop image open

Open the picture in the program.

2. Duplicate the Layer

make silhouette in photoshop layer duplicate

Now duplicate the layer by using the common Photoshop keyboard shortcuts. Click Command + J (or Ctrl + J for Windows).

3. Make a Mask

make silhouette in photoshop mask

The next steps will be completed applying a mask. Choose an image on the Layers dashboard. Press the symbol to mask in Photoshop.

4. Select the Brush Tool

make silhouette in photoshop brush tool

Using the tools panel select Brush Tool or just hit B.

5. Change the Foreground Color to Black

make silhouette in photoshop color change

Choose the foreground color to black and draw the areas you want to remove the background.

6. Add Color Overlay

make silhouette in photoshop color overlay adding

Select the layer and add Color Overlay.

7. Choose the Color for Silhouette

make silhouette in photoshop color settings

Select the color (it is usually black) for your silhouette. Ready.

Bonus Tools

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If you want to enhance your image after you created a silhouette, use the ready-made bundles for Photoshop. You should simply install Photoshop actions on your PC and try them on your shots. They will come in handy for the shades and light correction, adding contrast, color adjusting, etc.

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