inbigd

Hello

I don't have any image programs except the standard ones that come with Mac and Windows.

If I take a picture of the moon let's say and want to change the background or cut and paste the moon into a new background, is there a simple way to do this?

thanks

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Easy way? I would say "No", unless you are proficient in PhotoShop, or some other post processing program.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I personally use Photoshop CC along with Lightroom CC but that will cost you $10.00 a month. There's Gimp and a lot of UHH members use it successfully and it's free. There are other options both with cost and free such as Photoshop Elements, Corel's Paint Shop Pro etc. If you can, Google "free photo editors" and see what you come up with.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Not familiar with the programs that come with Mac and Windows. That said, have you fully explored the possibilities of these programs? If there is a way to combine photos, you will have to search for it.

That said, I use LR and PS. This is not something covered by LR, but fairly easy for a simple subject like the moon in PS. It can also be done with more complex subjects, just takes more time and attention to detail. In PS the process is done with layers. One layer is the original, then the second photo is selected, copied, and pasted onto the original. They then become two separate layers that can be worked with together. PS also uses "masks" and they are key to the replacement of one background with another. With the new background on top of the original, and a black mask on the new background, simply paint around the moon with a white brush. The new background will appear with the moon in it! "Simple" as that... (Learning curve gets you there!)

If you are looking to do more types of editing than the programs you currently have can handle, consider getting the PS CC subscription. You can get a free 30 day trial of LR and one for PS to try them out before signing up. I have been a LR user for a long time, decided it was time to learn PS, so signed up first for the LR trial. After checking it out and making sure I was comfortable with it, then signed up for the PS trial. This gave me 30 days to figure out if I could learn to use it! Not easy, still learning, but there is so much you can do with it to get great results.

The first photo here is replacing the background with solid black. The second photo is a partial replacement of the background with semi-opaque green, retaining the leaves from the original photo. The third photo is a full replacement of the background with a photo of sky taken expressly for the purpose of using it this way. (I keep a file of skies to choose from.) Also used some PS "magic" to put the middle branch behind the heron instead of in front of it!!!

Sorry I could not directly answer your question, but at least you can see the possibilities when the right editing program is available!

Susan

steinr98

You said the magic world "EASY"!! Even with the Free programs, there is a learning curve and in most cases would take some dedicated learning! It can be done!! Only if you are willing!

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Susan,
You may not have directly answered the question, but I thought your reply was thoughtful and helpful, at least for me. I am a new subscriber to PS CC, and am trying to learn. I am primarily interested in cleaning up and/or replacing the background of bird photos, so your examples are helpful.

inbigd

Thanks everyone and Susan, thank you so much. You definitely helped me and you did answer the question, I'll look into getting PS.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I am glad my response was helpful. Here is another bit of information, besides the Adobe tutorials, that might make your PS CC learning curve easier: CreativeLive is a website that has video tutorials. They sell them, but also have a listing of free ones. The difference is that in order to see the free tutorials, you need to tune in on the days they are presented. Most of the time they do re-runs that evening and the next morning in case you missed it. If it is a week-long event, the usually re-run every day on Saturday (not sure about Sunday). It is great to get exposed to their great instructors, and choose your favorites. There are other websites, too, with free tutorials, just have to look for them.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

You may want to ask your question in the Post Processing forum section. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

You can do it in GIMP, it's a free program yet very powerful. To change background you need to learn how to do two things: how to select your main subject and how to work with layers.

philphotog Loc: Perth, Scotland

Hi. I use Movavi Photo Studio which provides this option amongst various others. It has to be paid for but isn't too expensive and I think you can download a trial version just to check out. Hope this helps. Cheers.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

There are many options the easiest ones are with a clean background like the sky. In PS use a selection tool to outline the object The new refine and mask feature on PS CC works well place the object on a new the object on a new layer and a layer with the new background But read about how to do this there is a learning curve

I took the 2nd image and PP into the 1st image

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sad, but true, as with most photo manipulation. For those who know how, it's a snap. For the rest of us, not so much.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are non-Photoshop ways to do this.

https://www.movavi.com/support/how-to/how-to-change-photo-background.html
https://clippingmagic.com/
http://www.smartphotoeditor.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwkJfABRDnhbPlx6WI4ncSJADMQqxdEGvaXlSnOBhInr6m5Mpi66ctR-B96kM9y24wJJ_WohoCj_zw_wcB
With Android app -
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appbasic.changephotobackground&hl=en

Photoshop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpxLT7ZOVMM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X95m1UkBdfU
https://blog.udemy.com/how-to-change-background-in-photoshop/

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I use Topaz ReMask. It works well but is not as easy as the demo videos make it look.