How to Change the Background in an Old Picture Using Photoshop

Save the picture that you want to use as a background., Get the picture that you want to replace the background of, in the same folder., Save it with your background photo. , Save Old Picture into JPG format, then open your image using your chosen...

46 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Save the picture that you want to use as a background.

You might want to save it in a folder for your current project.

Step 2: Get the picture that you want to replace the background of

If you have a scanner, scan it, or take it to a store that will scan your photos for you. ,, Some are Photoshop, Gimp, Paint Shop Pro, etc.

The following steps are specific to Photoshop, but the instructions can be adapted for your chosen program. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Name (named it Edit Background).

Preset Size:
Custom Width: 10 inches (25.4 cm) Height:
7.5 inches (19.1 cm) Resolution: 280 pixel/inches Mode:
RGB Color Contents:
White ,,,,,,,,,, > Sample Radius: 12 pixels > OK. , > Expand by: 5 pixels > OK. ,, Save it into JPG format. ,,

Step 3: in the same folder.

Step 4: Save it with your background photo.

Step 5: Save Old Picture into JPG format

Step 6: then open your image using your chosen graphic program.

Step 7: Click on Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) on the left side of the Menu.

Step 8: See a plus sign (+) on the screen then click and drag the (+) around your picture.

Step 9: Click on Edit on the Toolbar > click on Cut.

Step 10: Close the Old Picture (click on the cross sign on the corner of the picture).

Step 11: Click on “No” in the message box if it asks you to save or change.

Step 12: Click on File in the Toolbar > Click on New > Click OK.

Step 13: Click on Edit > Click on Paste or Ctrl + V.

Step 14: Click on Image in the Toolbar > Click on Image Size and don’t change the Pixel Dimension.

Step 15: Change the size of the width of this picture to 5 or 6 inches (12.7 or 15.2 cm)

Step 16: OR change the size of the height of this picture 3 or 4 inches (7.6 or 10.2 cm).

Step 17: Change the Resolution into 200pixels/280pixels and click OK.

Step 18: Use Lasso Tool (L) on the left side of the Menu to delete the background of your Old Picture.

Step 19: Click on (L) to circle on the area that you need to delete then hit delete on your keyboard.

Step 20: Use on Hand Tool (H) on the left side of the Menu to move the picture up and down or left and right.

Step 21: Use Zoom Tool (Z) on the left side of the Menu to zoom picture in or out.

Step 22: Use Eraser Tool (E) on the left side of the Menu to erase the small pieces of the background

Step 23: or some spots that have not been deleted completely.

Step 24: Click on File > Open.

Step 25: Click on Background Work Folder > click on New Background > Open.

Step 26: Click on Image on the Toolbar > click on Image Size.

Step 27: Follow on the STEP 6 (3

Step 28: but on (3) you have to change the height to 7.5 inches (19.1 cm) or the width to 10 inches (25.4 cm).

Step 29: Click on File > click on New.

Step 30: Click OK.

Step 31: Click on Move Tool (M) on the left side of your Menu.

Step 32: Use (M) to click and drag the New Background into Edit Background.

Step 33: Close your New Background.

Step 34: Use (M) to click and drag your picture (that you just finished deleting the background) into Edit Background.

Step 35: Click on Magic Wand Tool (W) to see the missing spots.

Step 36: Click anywhere in your picture

Step 37: then press "delete" on the keyboard.

Step 38: Use (E) to erase the missing spots shown on the Edit Background.

Step 39: Use (W) to click around your picture.

Step 40: Click on Select on the Toolbar > Modify > Smooth > Smooth Selection.

Step 41: Go back to Select on the Toolbar > Modify > Expand > Expand Section.

Step 42: Click on File on the Toolbar > click on Save As….

Step 43: Click on Background Work Folder > give a name to your new picture.

Step 44: Click OK

Step 45: then the JPEG box comes up:

Step 46: JPEG Options: Image Options Quality: 12 Maximum or click and drag from small file to large file Format Option: Click on Baseline “Standard” Click: OK.

Detailed Guide