Background Advice
Dec 18, 2011 19:47:30 #
I was going back throught some random photos I have taken of family pets and there are some good ones I would like to publish. Problem is the less than idea background. I have Elements 9. Can I create a black background or some other interesting look? How would you do it? I did crop and use vignetting to minimize the background. Examples attached.
Baxter
Baxter Cropped
Dec 18, 2011 20:07:27 #
i dont think the background matters on your close up. It is insignificant...good luck getting published.
Dec 18, 2011 20:07:45 #
Start with a Google search on "Remove Background with Elements..." I found several YouTube tutorials. Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-W5cjLBOs0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-W5cjLBOs0
Dec 19, 2011 06:16:19 #
Publish was the wrong word. Just going to print frame and mat for Christmas presents.
Dec 19, 2011 06:24:03 #
Dec 19, 2011 11:28:21 #
You also might try turning the background B&W! That gives a fun effect! If you turn up the color and make his blanket super red (before turning it b&w) it will look more christmassy!
Here's a tutorial for PSE9.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/video/elements-9-easy-layer-masks/
Here's a tutorial for PSE9.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/video/elements-9-easy-layer-masks/
Dec 19, 2011 15:20:01 #
The background is too busy to do the dog justice. I would remove the dog, then either blur the background totally, or replace it with something different. Sorry, I can't show you an example, because I am working on the pictures for two paying clients.
Dec 19, 2011 21:20:58 #
Thanks Suzip,
Good technique. Helps a little, but I'm still not fond of my messy table.
Good technique. Helps a little, but I'm still not fond of my messy table.
Dec 19, 2011 21:43:13 #
jaysnave wrote:
Thanks Suzip,
Good technique. Helps a little, but I'm still not fond of my messy table.
Good technique. Helps a little, but I'm still not fond of my messy table.
Hmmm yes! You could play with the layers a bit and really lighten and blur the background or clone out some sections before painting your dog back! I'm not good enough at PSE to know how to do the fancier stuff!
Dec 19, 2011 21:43:45 #
As you are learning, the background is JUST as important as the subject.
You are going to have problems with the merge - dog's head with black area behind.
Can you re-shoot this? Or is it too late? A neutral color sheet or wall five or more feet behind the dog would help a lot.
You are going to have problems with the merge - dog's head with black area behind.
Can you re-shoot this? Or is it too late? A neutral color sheet or wall five or more feet behind the dog would help a lot.
Dec 19, 2011 22:03:40 #
Yes, not much contrast around the ears. I have tried to extract, but a little messy. Actually, the dog is my nephew's and was visiting during a football game. No chance to reshoot. Not a problem. As you said, I am trying to master the background piece of photography. In this case after the shoot.
Dec 19, 2011 22:10:09 #
OK - time to salvage the image.
It is all in the title: Dog With Messy Table
There....all set.
It is all in the title: Dog With Messy Table
There....all set.
Dec 20, 2011 09:08:08 #
Maybe the best you can do is use the bit of wall to clone stamp over most of the table then maybe do your crop!! Time consuming but should work especially if the cards aren't too large! It's a very cute shot of the dog!!
Dec 20, 2011 10:03:54 #
Here's a possibility. Use the layers effect to lighten the black and white area then paint in the color. Here's a very rough example:
It's a lot of time and effort: I hope you have time left!
Oops sorry - not exactly the same before image but you get the idea; very messy background!!!
It's a lot of time and effort: I hope you have time left!
Oops sorry - not exactly the same before image but you get the idea; very messy background!!!
After
Before
Dec 20, 2011 10:09:00 #
jaysnave wrote:
Yes, not much contrast around the ears. I have tried to extract, but a little messy. Actually, the dog is my nephew's and was visiting during a football game. No chance to reshoot. Not a problem. As you said, I am trying to master the background piece of photography. In this case after the shoot.
You just found out something that still haunts me....not paying attention to the BG while composing a shot ! I'll set up perfect shots, get back home and look at them on the computer, and realize something in the BG overpowered the shot ! After a while it started sinking in and now the BG is in the back of my mind as I'm composing a shot ! I'm slow to learn !!!
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