Post Processing Question: Hello All! I use elements for post processing, and need help on this one big time. My results when taking a picture of a house is attached; the house looks...

BobInNJ Loc: In NJ, near Phila. Pa

Hello All!
I use elements for post processing, and need help on this one big time. My results when taking a picture of a house is attached; the house looks great (to me) but here in NJ lawns are drying out. Can anyone suggest how to add color to the browned out grass to make the image acceptable. I tired selecting just the lawn area and adding green. horrible results.

EstherP

BobInNJ wrote:

Hello All!
I use elements for post processing, and need help on this one big time. My results when taking a picture of a house is attached; the house looks great (to me) but here in NJ lawns are drying out. Can anyone suggest how to add color to the browned out grass to make the image acceptable. I tired selecting just the lawn area and adding green. horrible results.

I've "messed" with your image a bit, just to give you an idea. You'd have to pick a better colour for the grass!!!!!
Hope you don't mind I also straightened the image a bit.
The steps I followed in Photoshop Elements:
With the Quick Selection Brush I selected the grass area, then pressed Ctrl+J to get just the grass on a new layer.
Then selected a green colour, and the regular Brush Tool, and painted over the grass on that new layer. At the top of the area, it doesn't matter if you go over the line just a bit, but don't go too much, or your shrubs will also change colour.
Now, in the layers palette, click on the little down-arrow beside "Normal" and select "Overlay" from the list.
Done.
But like I said: If I had more time, I would have played with the greens a bit more.
EstherP

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

BobInNJ wrote:

Hello All!
I use elements for post processing, and need help on this one big time. My results when taking a picture of a house is attached; the house looks great (to me) but here in NJ lawns are drying out. Can anyone suggest how to add color to the browned out grass to make the image acceptable. I tired selecting just the lawn area and adding green. horrible results.

lawns are dying all over the country - and you would show a house with a fake lawn? What happens when a buyer shows up - notices the difference - then wonders what else you faked?

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

I think the brush idea works well. Would pumping up the vibrance and saturation a little more work?

EstherP

EstherP wrote:

Now, in the layers palette, click on the little down-arrow beside "Normal" and select "Overlay" from the list.
Done.
But like I said: If I had more time, I would have played with the greens a bit more.
EstherP

Selecting Soft Light instead of Overlay gives a much better result.
I'm attaching the .psd file, hope it comes across and you can play with it yourself a bit more.
EstherP

Attached file:
(Download)

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Do like they do at the golf courses. Get you a pump sprayer and some green food coloring and spray your lawn. I saw them doing this once at a gold course in Hawaii. LOL!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I would also straighten the verticals and horizontals. The picture as it is annoying to me. More so than than the brown grass.

rgs65 Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana

I used 'Selective Color' in Photoshop CS5. I first selected the grass and adjusted the hues to give a more realistic green. I then applied a ND filter effect to the image and straightened it up a bit.

Just a bit of PP
Just a bit of PP...

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

rgs65 wrote:

I used 'Selective Color' in Photoshop CS5. I first selected the grass and adjusted the hues to give a more realistic green. I then applied a ND filter effect to the image and straightened it up a bit.

Looks good, rgs65. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Scoutman Loc: Orlando, FL

EstherP wrote:

quote=BobInNJ Hello All! br I use elements for po... (show quote)

Good suggestion and your trial manipulation of the image looks great. Either more of the curb, or none of it. Right now the little bit is a distraction.

DianeH Loc: Philadelphia, Bucks County-PA

Hi, I also selected the grass then used replace color then the channel mixer- got simmilar results

liebgard

docrob wrote:

you would show a house with a fake lawn? What happens when a buyer shows up - notices the difference - then wonders what else you faked?

Precisely my reaction B4 I read your comment! Here in CA, it would be censured by the Dept. of Real Estate, if it were brought to their attention. The photographer could crop out the lawn, though.

thomrhine

1. quick selction tool of lawn (not dark areas)
2. Enhance - hue selection
3. play with hue to get a better green

I did not straighten
If selling house - crop don't shop

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

There are some really great adjustments shown here . . . but doesn't anyone straighten horizons? The house is going to fall over on that nice new green lawn :mrgreen:

waterbug49307 Loc: All over, currently Big Rapids Michigan

EstherP - love how you explain what you did to get your results.