In the age of smartphone photography, capturing stunning images is easier than ever. However, sometimes the lighting isn’t perfect, resulting in unwanted black backgrounds that can detract from the overall quality of your photos. Whether it’s a dimly lit room, a poorly positioned subject, or simply an unfortunate shadow, black backgrounds can ruin an otherwise great shot. Fortunately, there are several methods and tools you can use to remove these backgrounds and create visually appealing images. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various techniques, from using built-in phone features to leveraging dedicated photo editing apps, to help you master the art of removing black backgrounds from your cell phone photos.
Understanding Why Black Backgrounds Occur
Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why black backgrounds occur in the first place. Several factors can contribute to this issue:
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient ambient light is the most common culprit. When the camera struggles to gather enough light, it compensates by darkening the overall image, often resulting in black or very dark backgrounds.
- Backlighting: When the primary light source is behind the subject, the camera may expose for the bright background, leaving the subject and surrounding areas underexposed and appearing dark.
- Shadows: Strong shadows can create large areas of darkness, particularly if the subject is positioned in a way that blocks light.
- Camera Settings: Incorrect camera settings, such as a low ISO or a fast shutter speed, can also contribute to underexposure and dark backgrounds.
- Phone limitations: Cell phone cameras have smaller sensors than dedicated cameras. This often results in less dynamic range, making capturing details in both bright and dark areas challenging, and leading to black or blown-out backgrounds.
Method 1: Using Your Phone’s Built-In Photo Editor
Many modern smartphones come equipped with surprisingly powerful built-in photo editors. These editors often include tools that can help you lighten shadows, adjust brightness, and even selectively remove backgrounds. Here’s how to use them effectively:
For iPhone Users:
- Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone and select the image you want to edit.
- Tap “Edit”: In the upper-right corner, tap the “Edit” button.
- Adjust Brightness: Look for the “Brightness” slider and drag it to the right to brighten the overall image. Be careful not to overexpose the photo, which can wash out the highlights and make it look unnatural.
- Increase Exposure: The “Exposure” slider works similarly to brightness but affects the overall light sensitivity. Adjust it slightly to brighten the darker areas without blowing out the highlights.
- Adjust Shadows: This is the most crucial tool for removing black backgrounds. Find the “Shadows” slider and drag it to the right. This will lighten the dark areas of the image without affecting the brighter parts as much.
- Increase Contrast (Slightly): After adjusting shadows, the image might look a bit flat. Increase the “Contrast” slightly to bring back some definition and depth.
- Adjust Black Point: The “Black Point” slider controls the darkest areas of the image. Dragging it to the right can help to reduce the intensity of the black background, making it appear less harsh.
- Use Selective Adjustments (If Available): Some iPhones have more advanced editing features that allow for selective adjustments. If your iPhone has this feature, you can select the black background and adjust its brightness, contrast, and shadows independently.
- Tap “Done”: Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, tap “Done” to save the edited image.
For Android Users:
Android phones have various built-in photo editors, depending on the manufacturer. The process is generally similar across different devices, but the specific names of the tools might vary.
- Open the Gallery App: Launch the Gallery app (or the default photo app on your Android device) and select the image you want to edit.
- Tap “Edit”: Look for an “Edit” button or icon. It might be represented by a pencil, a slider, or a similar symbol.
- Adjust Brightness: Find the “Brightness” slider and adjust it to brighten the overall image.
- Increase Exposure: Similar to iPhone, adjust the “Exposure” to lighten the darker areas.
- Adjust Shadows: Look for a “Shadows” or “Highlights & Shadows” tool. Increase the shadow levels to lighten the black background.
- Increase Contrast (Slightly): Adjust the “Contrast” to add definition back to the image.
- Adjust Blacks: Many Android editors have a dedicated “Blacks” slider. Reduce the black levels to soften the appearance of the dark background.
- Use Selective Adjustments (If Available): Some Android phones offer selective adjustment features. Use these to target the black background directly.
- Save the Edited Image: Tap “Save” or a similar button to save the changes. You might have the option to save a copy or overwrite the original image.
Important Considerations for Using Built-In Editors:
- Subtlety is Key: Avoid making drastic adjustments. Over-editing can lead to unnatural-looking results and artifacts in the image.
- Monitor Highlights: Keep an eye on the highlights while adjusting brightness and exposure. You don’t want to blow out the bright areas and lose detail.
- Experiment: Play around with different sliders and settings to find the optimal balance for your specific image.
- Non-Destructive Editing (If Available): Some built-in editors offer non-destructive editing, which means your original image is preserved. This allows you to revert to the original state if you’re not happy with the edits.
Method 2: Using Dedicated Photo Editing Apps
For more precise and advanced control over background removal, consider using dedicated photo editing apps. These apps offer a wider range of tools and features, allowing you to achieve professional-looking results. Here are some popular options:
1. Adobe Lightroom Mobile
Adobe Lightroom Mobile is a powerful and versatile photo editing app that offers a wealth of features, including selective adjustments, masking tools, and advanced color correction capabilities. It’s a great option for both beginners and experienced photographers.
Steps to Remove Black Backgrounds with Lightroom Mobile:
- Download and Install: Download and install Adobe Lightroom Mobile from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Import Your Photo: Open the app and import the photo you want to edit.
- Adjust Exposure and Contrast: Start by adjusting the overall exposure and contrast of the image. This will help to brighten the darker areas and bring out more detail.
- Use the “Shadows” Slider: Under the “Light” panel, find the “Shadows” slider and drag it to the right to lighten the dark areas of the image.
- Use the “Blacks” Slider: Adjust the “Blacks” slider to further reduce the intensity of the black background.
- Selective Adjustments (Masking): This is where Lightroom Mobile truly shines. Use the masking tools to selectively adjust the black background without affecting the rest of the image. There are several masking options available:
- Brush: Use the brush tool to paint over the black background.
- Radial Gradient: Create a circular or elliptical mask to target a specific area.
- Linear Gradient: Create a linear mask to target a specific area along a straight line.
- Color Range: Select a specific color range (e.g., black) to create a mask based on color.
- Luminance Range: Select a specific luminance range to create a mask based on brightness.
- Adjust Mask Settings: Once you’ve created a mask, you can adjust its settings, such as brightness, contrast, shadows, and blacks, to fine-tune the background removal.
- Use Dehaze: If the background appears hazy, try using the “Dehaze” slider under the “Effects” panel to improve clarity.
- Sharpening: Apply some sharpening to the image to enhance detail.
- Save Your Edits: Once you’re satisfied with the results, save the edited image to your phone.
2. Snapseed
Snapseed, developed by Google, is another excellent photo editing app that offers a wide range of tools and features, including selective adjustments, healing brush, and perspective correction. It’s a user-friendly option that’s great for quick and easy edits.
Steps to Remove Black Backgrounds with Snapseed:
- Download and Install: Download and install Snapseed from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Open Your Photo: Open the app and tap the “+” icon to open the photo you want to edit.
- Adjust Brightness and Contrast: Start by adjusting the overall brightness and contrast of the image.
- Use the “Shadows” Tool: Go to “Tools” and select “Shadows.” Increase the shadow levels to lighten the dark areas of the image.
- Use the “Blacks” Tool: Go to “Tools” and select “Blacks.” Reduce the black levels to soften the appearance of the black background.
- Selective Adjustments (Using the Brush Tool):
- Go to “Tools” and select “Selective.”
- Tap on the area you want to adjust (the black background).
- Pinch to adjust the size of the selection.
- Swipe up or down to select the parameter you want to adjust (Brightness, Contrast, Saturation).
- Swipe left or right to adjust the value of the selected parameter.
- Use the “Healing” Tool (If Necessary): If there are any blemishes or imperfections in the image, use the “Healing” tool to remove them.
- Sharpening: Apply some sharpening to the image to enhance detail.
- Save Your Edits: Tap “Export” and choose how you want to save the edited image (e.g., save a copy, export, etc.).
3. PicsArt
PicsArt is a popular photo editing app with a focus on creative expression. It offers a wide range of features, including background removal tools, filters, stickers, and collage makers. It’s a great option for users who want to add a unique and artistic touch to their photos.
Steps to Remove Black Backgrounds with PicsArt:
- Download and Install: Download and install PicsArt from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Open Your Photo: Open the app and tap the “+” icon to open the photo you want to edit.
- Use the “Adjust” Tool:
- Go to “Tools” and select “Adjust.”
- Adjust the “Brightness,” “Contrast,” and “Shadows” to lighten the dark areas and soften the black background.
- Use the “Remove BG” Tool (Background Removal):
- Go to “Tools” and look for “Remove BG” (Background Removal).
- The app will automatically attempt to identify and remove the background.
- You can then refine the selection using the “Erase” and “Restore” tools to manually adjust the mask.
- Replace the Background (Optional): If you want to replace the black background with a different image or color, you can use the “Add Photo” tool to overlay a new background.
- Apply Filters and Effects (Optional): PicsArt offers a wide range of filters and effects that you can use to enhance your photo.
- Save Your Edits: Tap the “Download” icon to save the edited image to your phone.
4. Phonto (For Transparent Backgrounds)
If your goal is to create an image with a transparent background (often used for creating stickers or overlaying images), Phonto is a handy tool.
Steps to Remove Black Backgrounds with Phonto:
- Download and Install: Download and install Phonto from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Load Image and Isolate Subject: Use the methods above from Snapseed or Lightroom to isolate the subject from the Black Background. This method works best with a solid black background.
- Open Photo and Use Transparent PNG: Export or save the photo in PNG format with transparency settings enabled.
- Load image in Phonto: This step requires loading the image into Phonto, where the image has to be manipulated to allow transparency.
- Utilize Phonto Functions for Transparancy: With most images of solid color background the option of the app will automatically detect the image and generate a transparent PNG.
Method 3: Using Online Background Removal Tools
If you prefer not to download and install any apps, you can use online background removal tools. These tools typically use AI-powered algorithms to automatically detect and remove backgrounds. Here are a few popular options:
- Remove.bg: This is a simple and effective online tool that automatically removes backgrounds with a single click. Simply upload your image, and Remove.bg will do the rest.
- Clipping Magic: This tool offers more advanced background removal features, allowing you to fine-tune the selection using a simple interface.
- PhotoScissors: PhotoScissors is another online tool that can remove backgrounds quickly and easily. It also offers features for replacing backgrounds and adding effects.
How to Use Online Background Removal Tools:
- Choose a Tool: Select an online background removal tool that suits your needs.
- Upload Your Image: Upload the image you want to edit to the tool’s website.
- Let the Tool Process: The tool will automatically process the image and remove the background.
- Review and Edit (If Necessary): Some tools allow you to review and edit the selection to ensure accuracy.
- Download the Result: Download the edited image with the transparent background.
Tips for Better Photos to Begin With
The best way to avoid having to remove black backgrounds is to take better photos in the first place. Here are some tips to help you capture well-lit and balanced images:
- Use Natural Light: Whenever possible, use natural light. Natural light is soft and diffused, which helps to create even illumination and reduce shadows.
- Avoid Backlighting: Avoid shooting with the light source behind your subject. This can cause the subject to be underexposed and appear dark.
- Use a Reflector: A reflector can be used to bounce light onto your subject, filling in shadows and brightening the overall image. You can use a professional reflector or simply a piece of white cardboard or foil.
- Adjust Your Camera Settings: Learn how to adjust your camera settings, such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, to optimize the exposure for different lighting conditions.
- Use Flash (Sparingly): While flash can be helpful in low-light situations, it can also create harsh shadows. Use flash sparingly and consider using a diffuser to soften the light.
- Clean Your Lens: A dirty lens can cause blurry images and reduce the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor. Clean your lens regularly with a microfiber cloth.
Advanced Techniques and Considerations
- Frequency Separation: For portrait retouching, frequency separation is a powerful technique to even out skin tones and reduce dark shadows around the eyes. While more advanced, it can yield professional results if mastered.
- Dodge and Burn: Dodge and burn are classic techniques used to lighten (dodge) and darken (burn) specific areas of an image. This can be used to selectively lighten shadows and reduce the appearance of a black background.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): HDR photography involves capturing multiple images at different exposures and then combining them to create a single image with a wider dynamic range. This can be helpful in situations where there is a large difference in brightness between the subject and the background. Some smartphones have built-in HDR modes.
- AI-Powered Editing: Many modern photo editing apps and software incorporate AI-powered features that can automatically enhance your photos, including removing backgrounds and adjusting lighting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-Editing: Avoid over-editing your photos. Too much brightness, contrast, or saturation can make your images look unnatural.
- Ignoring Highlights: Pay attention to the highlights in your image. If you overexpose the photo, you can blow out the highlights and lose detail.
- Using Low-Quality Images: Start with a high-quality image to ensure the best results. Low-resolution images can look pixelated and blurry when edited.
- Not Backing Up Your Photos: Always back up your photos before making any edits. This will protect you from losing your original images if something goes wrong.
- Ignoring the Composition: Don’t forget about the composition of your photo. Even with a perfect background removal, a poorly composed image will still not be visually appealing.
Conclusion
Removing black backgrounds from cell phone photos is a common challenge that can be overcome with the right tools and techniques. Whether you choose to use your phone’s built-in editor, a dedicated photo editing app, or an online background removal tool, the key is to experiment and find the method that works best for you. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can transform your photos from drab to fab and create stunning images that you’ll be proud to share. Remember to start with a well-lit image whenever possible and to avoid over-editing. With a little practice, you’ll be able to master the art of background removal and take your cell phone photography to the next level.