Clipping mask aka cutting out more than one part of an image

[jerriannfleming]

I have a photo where I need to cut out an image (a person), then I need to "cut out" the space between the arms and the background (so it looks like the person is floating, not attached to a background).  Does this make sense?  I have tried everything and I can't figure out how to do it.

Thanks.

[Moved to Photoshop Forum by Moderator]

[Tags updated by Moderator]

[Ton Frederiks]

Photoshop is probably the best application to do this.

But if you want to do it in Illustrator:

Create the contour shape of the person. Create the shapes for the space between the arms.

Select the shapes and choose: Object > Compound Path > Make

Make sure th at the compound path is above the image.

Select both and  choose: Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

[jerriannfleming]

Could I trouble you to tell me how to do this in photoshop?  I just tried doing what you said and I am clearly doing something wrong (it tells me I can't make a compound path within different groups (?).  I know I have done this before, but maybe it was in photoshop -- I just can't remember how to do it.  Thanks so much.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

In Photoshop you can create a Selection (With Quick Selection Tool, Magic Wand Tool, Polygonal Lasso Tool, … or whatever you prefer) and apply it as a Layer Mask to a Layer (if it is a Background Layer double-click it to change it to a regular one).

On that Layer Mask you can paint with white to show, black to hide.

[Eternal Warrior]

Damn you beat me to it!

Wish I hadn't added screenshots now

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Wish I hadn't added screenshots now

But they are probably very useful to the original poster so you likely did them a greater service.

[Eternal Warrior]

I would suggest using a layer mask would be the quickest way to do this non destructively.

Just use:

Then make sure you have the layer mask selected and with the brush tool or fill tool use Black to hide the background and White to retain.

If you wanted to destructively do this you could use the eraser or lasso tool after selecting/inverting the area you want to delete or save.

Best,

EW

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you post (a low res version of) the image in question?