How to Remove People from Photos: A Comprehensive Guide 

Whether you’re editing travel shots, professional photography, or personal images, there may come a time when you want to remove unwanted people from your photos. Removing distractions can make your images cleaner, more focused, and visually appealing. Thankfully, modern tools and techniques make it easier than ever to achieve seamless results. 

In this guide, we’ll explore various methods, tools, and software—including SoftOrbits—to help you seamlessly remove people from your photos. 

Why Remove People from Photos? 

There are many reasons you might want to remove someone from a photo: 

1. Improving Composition: Stray figures in the background can disrupt the composition of your shot. 

2. Privacy: Removing individuals who may not want their image shared online. 

3. Focus on the Subject: Eliminate distractions to emphasize the main subject. 

4. Professional Use: Enhance images for marketing, real estate, or design projects. 

Whatever the reason, editing out people is a valuable skill in photo editing. 

Best Tools and Methods to Remove People from Photos 

1. Adobe Photoshop 

Photoshop is the gold standard for advanced photo editing. Here are the two most effective tools: 

• Content-Aware Fill: Automatically fills the area of a removed object with surrounding content. 

• Select the person using the Lasso Tool. 

• Go to Edit > Content-Aware Fill and let Photoshop work its magic. 

• Clone Stamp Tool: For more control, use the Clone Stamp Tool to manually paint over the unwanted person, blending it with the background. 

2. SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher 

If Photoshop feels too complex, SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher is an excellent alternative. This user-friendly software is designed for quick and effective edits: 

• Automatic Removal: Select the unwanted person, and the software automatically fills the space intelligently. 

• Simplified Process: Its intuitive interface makes it easy even for beginners. 

• Batch Editing: Great for processing multiple photos efficiently. 

SoftOrbits provides professional results without the steep learning curve of advanced editing tools. 

3. GIMP (Free Alternative to Photoshop) 

GIMP is a powerful open-source photo editor. It offers similar tools to Photoshop: 

• Use the Healing Tool or Clone Tool to replace unwanted areas with background textures. 

• While it requires some manual effort, it’s a great free option for users on a budget. 

4. Mobile Apps 

For those who prefer editing on their phones, the following apps are excellent choices: 

• TouchRetouch (iOS/Android): A specialized app for removing unwanted objects and people. Simply swipe over the area you want to remove, and the app handles the rest. 

• Snapseed (iOS/Android): Use the Healing Tool to erase small distractions like people in the background. 

5. Online Tools 

If you don’t want to download software, online tools are a convenient option: 

• Inpaint: An easy-to-use browser-based tool for removing people and objects. 

• Fotor: A versatile online editor with a simple object-removal feature. 

6. Canva 

Canva, while primarily a design tool, also offers an object-removal feature for Pro users. Upload your photo, use the Background Remover tool, and refine the edit to remove specific people. 

7. AI-Based Tools 

AI-powered tools are becoming increasingly popular for photo editing: 

• Cleanup.pictures: A free AI-powered tool that allows you to highlight and remove people or objects with precision. 

• Remove.bg: Although primarily designed for background removal, it can be used creatively to eliminate people from a photo by replacing the background. 

Steps to Remove People Using SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher 

1. Download and Install: Visit SoftOrbits and download the Photo Retoucher software. 

2. Open Your Photo: Launch the program and load the image you want to edit. 

3. Select the Person to Remove: 

1. Use the Selection Brush to mark the area around the person. 

4. Apply the Removal Tool: 

1. Click on the Remove button, and the software will automatically replace the selected area with the background. 

5. Fine-Tune the Edit: Use additional tools for minor adjustments to ensure a natural look. 

6. Save Your Edited Photo: Export your final image in your preferred format. 

Tips for Seamless Results 

1. Choose Photos with Simple Backgrounds: It’s easier to remove people when the background is uniform. 

2. Use High-Resolution Images: Higher quality photos make editing more effective. 

3. Experiment with Multiple Tools: For complex edits, combining tools like Content-Aware Fill and the Clone Stamp Tool can yield better results. 

4. Practice Blending: Pay attention to shadows and lighting to make the edits look realistic. 

What Else Can You Remove from Photo? 

You can remove many elements from a photo, such as: 

1. Backgrounds – To isolate the main subject. 

2. Unwanted People – Such as photobombers or strangers in the background. 

3. Shadows – To make the lighting look more consistent. 

4. Blemishes and Imperfections – For flawless portraits. 

5. Power Lines and Clutter – For cleaner landscape photos. 

6. Watermarks and Text – With tools like SoftOrbits. 

7. Reflections and Glare – To reduce distractions from light or shiny surfaces. 

8. Logos or Branding – For unbranded, professional images. 

9. Trash or Random Objects – To enhance the overall composition. 

10. Scratches and Dust – Especially in old or scanned photos. 

 
Removing people from photos can transform your images, making them cleaner and more visually appealing. Whether you’re using professional tools like Photoshop or any options, the process is more accessible than ever. With just a few steps, you can eliminate unwanted elements and focus on what truly matters in your shots. 

By incorporating these tools and tips into your workflow, you can achieve professional-quality edits while saving time and effort.