davidp

In one of the posts it was mentioned about software that you can create backgrounds for your pictures. What software is available that you can use to add a background to your pictures
Thanks

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

davidp

Is it easy to do?
Thanks

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I see that Photoshop and Elements were suggested. However, I don't think they are the easiest programs to do it. You could try Landscape Pro. It has a selection of backgrounds you can use to replace existing ones. It isn't free but they often have sales on. If you want to replace backgrounds for other subjects, I would do some googling because there's probably other choices.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I'm not sure that "creating" backgrounds is the relevant word here. You can certainly replace backgrounds readily with PS or any other editor supporting layers. While you could create something that serves as a background using the editor, I don't think that's done nearly as frequently as replacing BG's. Most background replacements involve using photos. There are numerous sites on the web that offer free backgrounds, and it's usually a straightforward process to use one as a replacement via your editor.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

If you google for "Replace Background in Photoshop Elements", you will get lots of help. Photoshop Elements has what they call "Guided Edits" where it coaches you through procedures. Photoshop CC does not have guided edits but the procedure will be (nearly) identical.

Replace Background guided edit


The Replace Background guided edit lets you replace the background of your photos with other photos, colors, and included background presets. If you want to use your own photos as background images, you can import them and use them as a background.

Do one of the following:

Open a photo in Photoshop Elements.
Select a photo from the Photo Bin.
Select Guided > Special Edits > Replace Background.

Select one of the following tools and create a selection of the main subject of your photo:

Auto: Use the Auto Selection tool to automatically create a selection when you draw a shape around the object you want to select. For more information, see Use the Auto Selection tool.
Quick: Use the Quick Selection tool to make a selection based on color and texture similarity when you click or click-drag the object you want to select. For more information, see Use the Quick Selection tool.
Brush: Use the Selection Brush tool to paint over the object you want to select. For more information, see Use the Selection Brush tool.
Refine: Use the Refine Selection Brush tool to add or remove areas to and from a selection by automatically detecting the edges. For more information, see Edit and refine selections.

Do one of the following to choose a background:

Click Import a photo to add your photo as background.
Click Preset to add one of the background preset as the background.
Click None to remove the background.
Click Color to add a color as the background.
(Optional) Click the Move Tool and drag the foreground or the background if necessary.

Click the Refine Edge Brush and paint over the foreground to refine the edges of the foreground. Use the following options to adjust the settings of the brush:

Add: Use this option to add more area to the edges of the foreground.
Subtract: Use this option to subtract area from the edges of the foreground.
Size: Increases or decreases the brush size.
Opacity: Increases or decreases the opacity of the brush stroke.
(Optional) Click Auto Match Color Tone to match the color tone of the subject with the background.

After you get the desired result, click Next to choose how you would like to proceed:

Save - Save/Save As: Preserve the newly-created image in any of the available formats.
Continue editing - In Quick/In Expert: Choose where you would like to continue working on the image - in Quick mode or Expert mode.
Share - Flickr/Twitter: You can upload your photo online through one of the social or sharing services available in Photoshop Elements.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

"easy to do" is always a relative thing. With all software there is a learning curve. Photoshop Elements is "easier" to learn than is it’s big brother Photoshop. Elements has many automated features to make tasks easier for a novice plus very advanced sophisticated tools that you can use as you get more advanced.

davidp

Thanks

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Any package that offers layers and masking. BTW, it doesn't create backgrounds, it just lets you add a different background.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I believe you might be referring to Luminar 4. I have a discount code. PM me if interested.

https://skylum.com/l/luminar-l4-sky?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand_sitelink_Sky_replacement&msclkid=a5561690216d1bac17824b78d72b1ca8&utm_term=luminar%204&utm_content=Luminar%20%5Bexact%5D

Maik723

PHOTAMATE software.

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

ON1 ships with many backgrounds, updates with more and you can add your own.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

I do background swaps now and again . 1 method is a bit complicated for here to explain using it involves the magic wand and is amazingly simple ounce you get the hang of it , but TOPAZ " Remask 2 , or 3 " you do not need to buy the whole suite I believe its $49.00 for remask 3 it has a cut , compute , and keep brush Called a trimap and it is very able at removing even the background spaces on a brides veil . It is then easy to pull in a background on a layer below the image you are keeping in photoshop.... Good luck

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Anthropics.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

For sky replacement try a free trial of Luminar4. Easy and fast!