Part two of the manipulation: place the model, clean the edges, match the lighting.
2026 note: This lesson was recorded on Photoshop CS6 in 2014. Adobe no longer sells the CS line — Photoshop now ships via Creative Cloud subscription. About 95% of the menus and shortcuts shown in the video still match the modern version; only the iconography is a bit fresher.
This Part
- Cut the model with the Pen Tool: draw the silhouette, convert path to selection.
- Use Select and Mask to soften the hair edges.
- Drag the model into the main document, scale and position.
- Build a shadow layer matching the background’s light direction (new layer + black brush + 30% opacity).
- Add a rim light around the subject (Screen mode) in the ambient color.
2026 Tip
For the cut-out, combine Select Subject with Select and Mask > Refine Hair — seconds instead of minutes.
