How to use the Select Subject tool in Photoshop

How-to
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Select Subject in Photoshop
(Image credit: Image Generated with Adobe Firefly)

Adobe has integrated a host of new features recently, mostly powered by AI. But the Subject Select tool is slightly different – it's not a massive AI upgrade but a genuinely useful addition that will save time and faff. It allows you to cut out elements of the photo automatically rather than manually.

This tool is not AI in the same sense as the Generative options (unlike the others, it can work offline), but has a similar effect on workflow. It is especially useful for cutting people out and creating headshots. It isn’t always successful in creating the same sharp lines you would get using the Pen tool and sometimes has trouble with very busy backgrounds, but for most quick turnarounds it is more than capable.

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Matt Smith
Matt Smith
Designer and Video Producer

Matt has worked for various publishing houses and design agencies, covering studio photography, video production, editorial design, branding, illustration and motion graphics. He currently works for Future PLC with brands such as T3, Woman&Home, Marie Claire, Music Week, TechRadar, Golden Joysticks, Cycling Weekly, Brand Impact Awards, Horse&Hound and Tech&Learning. In the past he has designed titles including Mac|Life, IQ, Bow International, Drummer, iDrum, Acoustic, Clay Shooting, Sea Fishing and GunTradeNews. He has experience across the full Adobe Suite and is currently spending a lot of time creating projects in Blender and After Effects.

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