White background
Mar 24, 2014 08:08:34 #
Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white? I have lots of furniture and big items to sell and no easy way to photo on white background. Wondering if there is a way to do this in post? I have LR if that helps, but not Photoshop. And I'd like not to have to buy and learn another piece of software just for this. Am just learning LR. But haven't stumbled on how to do this yet if it's even there. Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
dick
dick
Mar 24, 2014 08:15:55 #
DickW wrote:
Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white? I have lots of furniture and big items to sell and no easy way to photo on white background. Wondering if there is a way to do this in post? I have LR if that helps, but not Photoshop. And I'd like not to have to buy and learn another piece of software just for this. Am just learning LR. But haven't stumbled on how to do this yet if it's even there. Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
dick
dick
I know it can be fairly easily with PS, buy how about using a white sheet as a backdrop? It's not high tech, but it would work.
Mar 24, 2014 08:45:01 #
Thank, Jerry. This is fallback. Just wanted to check with UHH first to see if there was a new trick I could learn.
Mar 24, 2014 08:48:55 #
DickW wrote:
Thank, Jerry. This is fallback. Just wanted to check with UHH first to see if there was a new trick I could learn.
If you post some pictures, I bet some members would be glad to show off and add a white background.
Mar 24, 2014 09:02:34 #
That really wouldn't help me however, Jerry. I need to learn this so I can do it myself going forward.
Mar 24, 2014 09:08:04 #
DickW wrote:
That really wouldn't help me however, Jerry. I need to learn this so I can do it myself going forward.
Right, like, "Give a man a fish..." vs "Teach a man to fish."
Mar 24, 2014 09:42:05 #
Its "easy" to make an all black background in camera, making an all white background will require a white background and plenty of light, or some good post processing to replace whatever background is actually shot.
Mar 24, 2014 10:47:17 #
With such a task, this is how I might go about it:
In the editor, I'd use the magnetic lasso selection tool to make a selection of the furniture piece within the image. Invert selection so that everything is selected but the furniture. Then make the new selection all white by increasing the image editor's brightness adjustment. Finally, deselect and save the new image. The hardest part is making the initial selection; it may take a little practice at first.
In the editor, I'd use the magnetic lasso selection tool to make a selection of the furniture piece within the image. Invert selection so that everything is selected but the furniture. Then make the new selection all white by increasing the image editor's brightness adjustment. Finally, deselect and save the new image. The hardest part is making the initial selection; it may take a little practice at first.
Mar 24, 2014 11:12:25 #
DickW wrote:
One single answer: Learn how to create an accurate selection. After that you can change a background to whatever.Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white? I have lots of furniture and big items to sell and no easy way to photo on white background. Wondering if there is a way to do this in post? I have LR if that helps, but not Photoshop. And I'd like not to have to buy and learn another piece of software just for this. Am just learning LR. But haven't stumbled on how to do this yet if it's even there. Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
dick
dick
Caveat: When changing the background perspective, lights, colors and proportion have to match otherwise it will look and feel fake.
Mar 24, 2014 11:25:52 #
DickW wrote:
Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white? I have lots of furniture and big items to sell and no easy way to photo on white background. Wondering if there is a way to do this in post? I have LR if that helps, but not Photoshop. And I'd like not to have to buy and learn another piece of software just for this. Am just learning LR. But haven't stumbled on how to do this yet if it's even there. Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
dick
dick
Probably the best you could achieve in Lightroom is by using the brush, paint over all the background and increase exposure to the maximum. Do it enough times and that background will slowly burn out but leaving some feathered edges.
Another way is to use the Radial Filter to lighten or darken the surroundings.
Neither of these methods will give you what you really want. PS Elements would be a low cost investment with a relatively easy learning curve to do the job, it works hand in glove with Lightroom and your product photography would reach a new level.
Mar 24, 2014 12:36:00 #
DickW wrote:
Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white?...
To do it in camera without buying a backdrop you can always excessively overexpose the background, as shown in the video link that follows. If the background is too close, there will be a good bit of light bouncing back, wrapping around your subject, and possibly blowing out the edges. You only want the background to go white not the details of your subject. You might find it easier to do the low key option as MT Shooter has mentioned.
High key anywhere video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvkWkxFb2M
Mar 25, 2014 07:25:39 #
You will need Photoshop or a third party application that supports masking and background replacement like Perfect Photo Suite or Topaz - both of which play nicely with Lightroom.
Mar 25, 2014 09:17:42 #
DickW wrote:
Is there an easy and inexpensive (ideally free) way to make the background of a picture all white? I have lots of furniture and big items to sell and no easy way to photo on white background. Wondering if there is a way to do this in post? I have LR if that helps, but not Photoshop. And I'd like not to have to buy and learn another piece of software just for this. Am just learning LR. But haven't stumbled on how to do this yet if it's even there. Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
dick
dick
In PS Elements, you can use the lasso tool, as suggested. I believe there is a way to make the lasso tool a little more accurate.
I attended a workshop with Hazel Meredith a couple of years back and she showed me how to do that. Alas, I forgot.
Perhaps someone here at UHH knows how to do this?
Mar 25, 2014 11:21:39 #
Rick36203 wrote:
To do it in camera I without buying a backdrop /I... (show quote)
:thumbup: good suggestion
Mar 25, 2014 12:06:57 #
The white sheet is easy and cheap. Why spend hours in PP when you can just do it in camera?
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