Anything distracting in the background can take attention away from your subject and make your photos look cluttered. In Adobe Lightroom, you can mask and edit the background to reduce distractions and highlight your subject. How can you remove the background in Lightroom? Lightroom enables background adjustments through tools such as the brush, radial gradient, linear gradient, and color range mask.

If you don’t want to use Lightroom for your background removal, you will spend a lot of time editing them manually. With the AI background remover, you can easily remove the background in just a few clicks.

There are popular tools like Pixelbin.io and Erase.bg, Photoroom, and many more. These tools are very easy to use, require no technical knowledge, and also offer other photo editing features.

If you stick with this blog until the end, you’ll learn the meaning, why background removal is important, and how to adjust or mask the background in Lightroom step-by-step. I will also share an alternative method you can use if you don’t want to use Lightroom. 

What is Lightroom?

Lightroom is a robust photo editing software developed by Adobe, widely used by photographers, professionals, and amateurs alike to enhance and manipulate their images. 

Lightroom enables users to adjust brightness, color, and other image aspects; apply presets and AI-powered tools for quick editing; and organize photos with powerful cataloging features.

Moreover, it also offers advanced techniques such as cropping, correcting, and straightening images, and is available on mobile, desktop, and web platforms. Lightroom has clean, user-friendly interfaces that simplify the editing process.

In Lightroom Classic, users can organize photos into catalogues and collections, while the cloud-based Lightroom uses albums. Both versions allow presets for rapid editing.

What is background removal in Lightroom?

Background removal in Lightroom usually means making or altering the background, not completely for removing the backgrounds like other tools. It is a technique used by photographers and designers to create clean and professional images by reducing distractions in the background.

Lightroom provides techniques like the Adjustment Brush, spot Removal Tool and Color Range Mask to edit backgrounds selectively. These tools enable users to select and eliminate unnecessary background elements precisely. Users can also adjust the background's exposure and color, but a full replacement requires specialized tools like Photoshop or AI software.

How to remove a background in Lightroom?

Step-by-step guide to remove background in Lightroom

To select the background removal tool in Lightroom, follow these steps.

1. First, you need to install Adobe Lightroom on your computer or laptop. 
2. Next, import an image that you want to edit into Lightroom.
3. Open the editing panel (Develop module in classic). Go to the masking tools and choose the brush. Adjust size, feather, and flow for precision.
4. Adjust the Exposure (and optionally, contrast, Highlights, or shadows) to make the background lighter or darker. 
5. After taking the brush, you’ll need to begin masking your image. Be careful while brushing the background, as doing so might also affect the picture's subject.
6. Once you finish editing, export the image in your preferred format and location. 

Various methods to remove background in Lightroom

1. Using the adjustment brush tool

The adjustment brush enables precise adjustments. You can select the specific area of the photo and make changes without affecting the rest of the image. For those who want more control over their background adjustment, the brush tool allows precise manual selection and fine-tuning, making it an excellent choice. 

Here are some of the simple methods to use the adjustment brush tool

2. Select the brush tool

First, open the masking panel and select the brush to manually paint over the background. This tool provides you with full control, allowing you to adjust the areas you want to modify selectively. 

3. Adjust the brush setting

Fine-tune the size, feather, and flow sliders to create a natural transition between the subject and the background. A softer brush makes blending easier, and a lower flow rate allows you to make changes more gradually.

4. Paint over the background

Slowly and carefully brush over the background, avoiding the subject, and zoom in for detailed work around the edges.

5. Apply adjustment

Modify the background by reducing clarity for a dreamy blur, lowering saturation for a muted effect, or tweaking exposure to control brightness.

6. Refine the mask

Lastly, use the erase tool to clean up any excess marks and adjust the edges for a smooth blend. 

This method works exceptionally well for images with complex backgrounds, such as those with intricate patterns or uneven depths, where AI selection may not be sufficient.

2. Using the radial gradient tools for background removal

Gradient tools are ideal for creating suitable background enhancements, such as softening edges or adding depth to a picture.

Here are some of the simple methods to use the linear or radial gradient tool

1. Select the linear or radial gradient tool

Open the mask panel and select either the linear gradient for straight-edge adjustment or the radial gradient for circular selection, depending on the image's requirements. 

2. Apply the gradient

Click and drag to apply the gradient, covering the area you want to modify. For a more precise result, you can reposition and resize the gradient.

3. Modify the background

Lower the exposure to create a vignette effect, decrease saturation for a faded look, or reduce clarity/texture to soften the background and draw attention to the subject.

4. Fine-tune the blend 

Use the feather slider to blend the gradient smoothly into the image, avoiding harsh or abrupt changes.

3. Using color range mask tool

The color range mask enables users to target and modify specific colors in images that exhibit strong color contrast between the subject and background. 

Here are some simple methods for using a color range mask.

1. Select the color range mask

Open the masking panel and choose the color range to start targeting a specific color for your image.

2. Pick a background color

Now, click on the background area that you want to adjust. If needed, use the add and subtract options to refine the selection further.

3. Refine the selection

Adjust the range slider to control the amount of the selected color that is included.A higher range selects more tones, and a lower range isolates the color more carefully. 

4. Make background adjustments 

Change the color, contrast, or background to make your subject stand out more. You can even apply a blur or desaturate, change color, or soften details with clarity/texture adjustments. This method is particularly useful for studio shots or product photography that features solid-colored backgrounds.

Advanced technique for removing the background from an image

Advanced techniques for background removal can enhance the precision and quality of your edit, particularly in challenging areas such as fine edges. Lightroom offers several advanced masking techniques and strategies to refine background edit, helping you optimize workflow and achieve professional results. 

Here are some tips to achieve the best results when editing or refining the background in Lightroom. 

Enhance backgrounds instead of fully removing them 

Trying to erase everything? Try softening or desaturating the background for a natural look

Experience with the mask tool

Masks provide precise control over selected areas, and feather settings help create smooth transitions between subject and background. 

Combining tools 

To achieve the best background adjustments, combine all available tools, such as the adjustment brush and masks. Check your work frequently to ensure the final image maintains the same level of detail and quality.

Work in layers

Apply various adjustments in separate masks for more flexibility and control.

Fine-tuning edges

Use the adjustment brush tools in Lightroom carefully to refine the edges by adjusting brush size and feature for precision. Continuously compare your progress with the original image to ensure clean and natural edges.

An easier method than Lightroom to remove backgrounds

If you don't want to use Lightroom, I'll also share an alternative method in this blog. There are various tools, such as Pixelbin.io and Erase.bg, PhotoRoom, Pixlr, Adobe Express, and many more.

1. Pixelbin.io

Pixelbin.io, an AI-based image transformation platform, offers a straightforward way to store and transform images with high quality. Pixelbin.io background remover is a powerful and easy-to-use tool designed to simplify image editing. Remove backgrounds from images in just a few seconds.

The user can utilize the platform for various purposes, such as resizing, applying filters, sharpening images, removing watermarks, removing backgrounds, performing bulk transformations, and more. The image API will provide visually appealing assets while ensuring faster loading speeds for websites and applications. This tool is user-friendly and easy to use, making it a great option for both beginners and professionals.

Remove image backgrounds easily in 3 steps.

1. Upload an image: Visit pixelbin.io and upload any image format, such as PNG, JPG, HEIC, etc. Simply drag and drop your file into the tool, and Pixelbin will instantly begin processing your file using AI in the background.
2. AI instantly auto-removes the background: The background remover detects objects and cleanly separates them from the background.
3. Your final image is ready within a few seconds: Download a high-resolution, background-free version, or head into Pixelbin Studio for additional edits and creative control as needed.

2. Erase.bg

An AI-powered program called Erase.bg can automatically remove image backgrounds in seconds. Erase.bg is an easy-to-use and powerful online background remover. It is completely free for personal use on their website; however, higher resolutions or commercial usage may require a payment.

The tool supports various image formats, including PNG, JPG, JPEG, WEBP, and HEIC. The maximum output resolution and size supported are 10,000 x 10,000 px and 25 MB. Excellent for e-commerce sellers, small business owners, and non-designers who require quick outcomes without requiring technical knowledge or learning any skills. 

It features an automated background removal driven by advanced artificial intelligence. With its intuitive interface, erase.bg caters to users of all skill levels, making background removal effortless and efficient. 

Remove image backgrounds easily in 3 steps.

1. Visit Erase.bg, upload the image you want to remove the background from. You can upload an image in formats such as PNG, JPEG, JPG, WebP, or HEIC, or you can drop an image file or paste a URL.
2. Let's erase.bg remove the background automatically.
3. Please review the result and download the image with a transparent background.

Users will receive two images: the original image and the one with the background removed.

3. Adobe Express

Adobe Express has built a free AI background removal feature within its graphic design platform. This functionality uses AI algorithms to identify and remove the background, keeping the subject intact. After removing the background from the image, users can apply other customized designs.

The tool supports various formats, including PNG, JPG, JPEG, and WEBP, with a maximum file size of 40 MB. Whether you’re editing photos for social media, marketing purposes, or personal projects, Adobe Express provides a seamless solution for background removal, making it a preferred choice among designers, content creators, etc.  

Remove image backgrounds easily in 3 steps.

1.  Visit Adobe Express, upload the image you want to remove the background from. Upload an image in a format such as PNG, JPEG, JPG, or WebP, with a maximum file size of 40 MB.
2. Let Adobe Express remove the background automatically, and wait for a few seconds.
3. Please review the result and download the image with a transparent background. 

4. Photoroom

Instantly remove image backgrounds with the PhotoRoom AI tool. It utilizes advanced algorithms to accurately detect and remove the background with a single click, saving you time and effort. Fast, free, and no sign-up required to remove the background. The tool can be used for product photos, social posts, and ads that grow your brand. 

Removing backgrounds from images while offering additional features like image resizing, background generation, blurring, object removal, and more. The free version offers background removal and basic photo editing features.

Remove image backgrounds easily in 3 steps.

1. Visit Photoroom, and click on “Start from a photo” for the one you want to remove the background from. Upload an image.
2. Let Photoroom remove the background automatically, and wait for a few seconds.
3. Please review the result and download the image.

The result is shown both before and after.

5. Pixlr

Pixlr is a group of AI-powered SaaS creative tools. Pixlr provides an AI-powered background removal tool that automatically detects and removes backgrounds from images. It supports various image formats, including JPEG, PNG, WEBP, and GIF. With just a few clicks, users can separate the foreground subject from the background, saving time and effort.

Pixlr is a user-friendly online image editing tool that offers a range of features, including background removal. It offers a range of image enhancement tools, including adjustments for brightness, contrast, saturation, and more.

 Remove image backgrounds easily in 3 steps.

• Visit Pixlr, and click on the “select photos” you want to remove the background from. Upload an image.
• Let Pixlr remove the background automatically, and wait for a few seconds.
• Review the result and download the image.

Why is background removal important?

Background removal from images is important because it is a commonly used editing technique in photography that enhances the overall appearance and impact of an image. This helps the subject stand out as the main focus of the composition.

There are various reasons for background removal, like removing distractions and clutter, which ensures that the viewer's attention is focused entirely on the subject. In product photography, a clear and uncluttered background plays a crucial role by enhancing the product's visibility and attractiveness.

Background removal also provides more adaptability and flexibility in design and marketing materials. Separating the subject and background makes it easier to put the subject in various combinations and designs.

Moreover, when removing the background and replacing it with a solid color or a specific background image, businesses and individuals can establish the best look and feel for their brand or online presence.

Removing a background from an image enables seamless integration into various design projects, ranging from website banners to social media posts. By using background removal tools, you can transform ordinary photos into clear, more versatile visuals suitable for professional use.