How to use magic wand on object with uneven background?

W
Posted By
wws
Dec 2, 2004
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371
Replies
7
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Closed
I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I want it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy grey background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t get the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff
Related Tags
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B
Broga
Dec 3, 2004
Hold down the Shift key as you click the magic wand on different parts of the background to add sections until they merge

—
www.micromountain.com
"Jeff" wrote in message
I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I want
it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy grey
background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t get
the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.
Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff

WO
Wizard of Draws
Dec 3, 2004
On 12/2/04 6:30 PM, in article PANrd.150264$,
"Jeff" wrote:

I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I want it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy grey background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t get the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.
Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff

Select as much as you can with the magic wand, then switch to Quick Mask mode. Use the brush to finish up the masked areas and then switch back to normal mode and your selection will be active for you to do with as you wish.
—
Jeff ‘The Wizard of Draws’ Bucchino
Cartoons with a Touch of Magic
http://www.wizardofdraws.com
http://www.cartoonclipart.com
N
noone
Dec 3, 2004
In article <PANrd.150264$ says…
I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I
want
it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy grey background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t get the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.
Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff,

You’ve got two good solutions to your post. This might also be a good subject for the Magnetic Lasso, depending on the contrast of your background and the watch. I’d probably go at it with the Pen Tool, then convert the Path to a Selection, but that’s the way I work. The Wizard’s Wand -> QM is probably my next choice, as almost no Selection will be as critical, as some good work in QM.

Hunt
C
Corey
Dec 3, 2004
"Jeff" wrote in message
I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I
want
it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy
grey
background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t
get
the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.
Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff

Since your background is grey, you may be able to place a more pleasing background in a layer beneath the watch layer and use the layer blending options to "blend if grey."

Otherwise, use your SHFT key to select multiple shades. If you end up selecting part of the watch. use your ALT key to minus them out with a Marquee tool.

Jeff’s suggestion of a Quick Mask seems totally appropriate too!

Peadge πŸ™‚
N
noone
Dec 4, 2004
In article ,
says…
"Jeff" wrote in message
I know this is a pretty basic problem but I have a photo of a watch and I
want
it on a nice black background. The photo I took of it has it on a dingy
grey
background, where the color is not even. At any tolerance level, I can’t
get
the magic wand to highlight the whole object, just parts of it.
Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

Jeff

Since your background is grey, you may be able to place a more pleasing background in a layer beneath the watch layer and use the layer blending options to "blend if grey."

Otherwise, use your SHFT key to select multiple shades. If you end up selecting part of the watch. use your ALT key to minus them out with a Marquee tool.

Jeff’s suggestion of a Quick Mask seems totally appropriate too!
Peadge πŸ™‚

Hm-m-m, Blending Options – I had not thought of that. Nice idea.

Hunt
C
Corey
Dec 7, 2004
"Hunt" wrote in message

Hm-m-m, Blending Options – I had not thought of that. Nice idea.
Hunt

Some suggested Blending Options…Tequila? Rum? Ice?

Peadge πŸ˜‰
N
noone
Dec 7, 2004
In article ,
says…
"Hunt" wrote in message

Hm-m-m, Blending Options – I had not thought of that. Nice idea.
Hunt

Some suggested Blending Options…Tequila? Rum? Ice?

Peadge πŸ˜‰

Good one! LOL

Hunt

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Learn how to rescue details, remove flyaways, add volume, and enhance the definition of hair in any photo. We break down every tool and technique in Photoshop to get picture-perfect hair, every time.

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