Replacing a background in Photoshop for Pictorial Purpose: This is Not intended to be a nature photo. The butterfly on the flower was shot in a light tent, then released. The...

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

This is Not intended to be a nature photo. The butterfly on the flower was shot in a light tent, then released. The background added was a shot of the area from where the flower came, and added in later in Photoshop. The intent was to make an interesting pictorial picture not a nature photo.

Dan Downie Loc: Rochester, NY

Very nice work!

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Now just how do you go about doing something like this?

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Works well. You could add a touch of shadow under his wings, if you wanted, just to add a little depth and more realism... But nice job as is.

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

To me the process is personal, but the end result is exceptional. So you didn't wait 4 hours until the butterfly landed just where you wanted and you still had light. If you hadn't told me, then I would never have guessed. Isn't that the whole idea. You shouldn't be able to see the process, just the end result. Great work Fotoartist.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

DIRTY HARRY wrote:

Now just how do you go about doing something like this?

Practice. ;)

I'm sorry, but to your question is not simple. First there are multiple ways to do anything in Photoshop, and 2nd, for replacing backgrounds, there are multiple steps involved, and the steps can differ slightly depending on the subject matter. And it takes practice to build skill. However there are some good free Photoshop tutorials available on line. I recommend you do a search for "how to replace backgrounds using photoshop". You will get articles and videos with pictures and examples.

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

I'm not asking for any secretes just generally how do you get started to do something like this.

quote=SpyderJan]To me the process is personal, but the end result is exceptional. So you didn't wait 4 hours until the butterfly landed just where you wanted and you still had light. If you hadn't told me, then I would never have guessed. Isn't that the whole idea. You shouldn't be able to see the process, just the end result. Great work Fotoartist.[/quote]

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Notice the white background. That makes it easy to select and drop it out in Photoshop. Then place an appropriate background on a layer underneath the now "outlined" butterfly and plant. You could also just use black as a background. I'm not saying the process is totally easy, just doable.

DIRTY HARRY wrote:

Now just how do you go about doing something like this?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Fotoartist wrote:

This is Not intended to be a nature photo. The butterfly on the flower was shot in a light tent, then released. The background added was a shot of the area from where the flower came, and added in later in Photoshop. The intent was to make an interesting pictorial picture not a nature photo.

Nice work.

I prefer the 2nd one, because to me it is more pictorial, and I find the background in #1 a bit busy. To me, green seems to provide better background separation, because the white on the butterfly's wing shows up better. But I find the complexity of the green competes for my eye's attention with the butterfly. The way I experience the images, the background in #2 does not compete with the complexity of the butterfly's wings and i can relax and let my eyes explore that beautiful butterfly without distraction.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

DIRTY HARRY wrote:

I'm not asking for any secretes just generally how do you get started to do something like this.

quote=SpyderJan]To me the process is personal, but the end result is exceptional. So you didn't wait 4 hours until the butterfly landed just where you wanted and you still had light. If you hadn't told me, then I would never have guessed. Isn't that the whole idea. You shouldn't be able to see the process, just the end result. Great work Fotoartist.

[/quote]

Quite seriously, the easiest way to get started is to watch a few tutorials on replacing backgrounds. Then fire up PS and have a go at it.

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

So I guess the first answer to my question is to get Photoshop 'cuz all I have right Infanview and Faststone...

I don't suppose I can use either of these programs

Fotoartist wrote:

Notice the white background. That makes it easy to select and drop it out in Photoshop. Then place an appropriate background on a layer underneath the now "outlined" butterfly and plant. You could also just use black as a background. I'm not saying the process is totally easy, just doable.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

There are two types of image editing programs. Those that adjust pixels according to parameters such as color, brightness, sharpness, only such as Lightroom and Camera Raw etc. Then there are pixel pushing programs such as Photoshop, Elements, etc. which allow construction and destruction of the pixels. I would advise getting started in Photoshop Elements for that.

DIRTY HARRY wrote:

So I guess the first answer to my question is to get Photoshop 'cuz all I have right Infanview and Faststone...

I don't suppose I can use either of these programs

Silverman Loc: Michigan

#2 in my choice for sure!!

DIRTY HARRY Loc: Hartland, Michigan

Thanks

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Fotoartist wrote:

Notice the white background. That makes it easy to select and drop it out in Photoshop. Then place an appropriate background on a layer underneath the now "outlined" butterfly and plant. You could also just use black as a background. I'm not saying the process is totally easy, just doable.

ha ha you you are quite skilled and thus you are able to make it sound easy. This is a trait of all good "professors". For us beginners it is not so simple. For example "select and drop" themselves are steps that are not trivial. Photoshop requires skill and i only wish to help those who want to learn it understand that it does require skill and practice.