changing background in pix, sky or vegetation

DR
Posted By
D_Rob_Curtis
Nov 23, 2006
Views
454
Replies
8
Status
Closed
Using CS2, If I have a picture of a bird with a dull sky or background, I may want to make the sky blue or have a green background like out of focus vegetation.

I select the area using the wand,then paint bucket but especially if there are out of focus branches or twigs, it is obvious where the change is made at edges.

I have tried doing it in stages like using modify, expand, then bucket, then repeating, but with complex backgrounds and feathers that extend out from the body I usually wind up going over many areas at high magnification using the stamp or brush to fill in all the unsatisfactory areas, spending a huge amount of time.

Is there a quicker more satisfactory way to achieve the desired results?

Master Retouching Hair

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.

JJ
John Joslin
Nov 23, 2006
Spend some time reading the information and linked tutorials here:

< http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.1de5f905.3bb80e5d/7>
P
Phosphor
Nov 23, 2006
When you go to the link John posted, make sure you click on the "Show All Messages" link.

There are a bunch of other links that won’t initially show in that thread.
DR
D_Rob_Curtis
Nov 25, 2006
I went through the tutorial with the guy on the mountain. Quite involved, but it appeared to work pretty well.

I then tried to apply the technique to a head shot of a deer against a grayer background. There are eyelashes and numerous hairs sticking out. I could not get beyond the step 7 of refining the edges. Unlike the example, the edges were darker than the background and all attempts to make them white resulted in the background getting whiter.

Then I started all over and instead of inverting the channel in step 4, proceeded trying to white out the gray background instead. Again I could never get anywhere close to isolating the deer.

Would anyone with more experience care to take a look at a reduced image and offer suggestions or steps.
My goal was to change the dull gray background to tint it green. Any help would be much appreciated.
C
chrisjbirchall
Nov 25, 2006
Have you explored the Extract filter?
D
deebs
Nov 25, 2006
I think the technique evolves around making good (as in very good) selections. Some have preferences for masks but if one goes to all the trouble to make a great selection it seems only appropriate that the selection be put on a layer of its own in my opinion.

Then there are 3D effects one may use such as select object and make sure this is sharp and clear.

Select midground and make sure it has a bit of GB

Select background (areas of greater depth) and make sure that the GB has been applied effectively.

This should give rise to at least three depths of "apparent" focus and if carried out well can be quite convincing.
DR
D_Rob_Curtis
Nov 26, 2006
After your suggestion, I tried it. again the problem is selecting so that the fur, whiskers, eyelashes etc are separated from the background. After about an hour of trying, I didn’t have a satisfactory result. During the extraction parts of the subject would be lost.

I didn’t really want to extract the background, just tint it, and the problem is in the imperfection ot the selection
DR
D_Rob_Curtis
Nov 26, 2006
What is GB?
MD
Michael_D_Sullivan
Nov 26, 2006
GB = Gaussian Blur

Did you try the Extract filter?

Master Retouching Hair

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.

Related Discussion Topics

Nice and short text about related topics in discussion sections