Here is a snapshot taken of my mum, I want to cut her out and paste her onto a different background.

This looks simple enough, I was trying to use Bart's Masking tutorial HERE (http://home.comcast.net/~zumbari/Tutorials/barts_defringe-refringe_object_extraction_tutorial.htm)
It dosen't seems to want to work very well on her hair.

I've attached a small image for you and you can get a larger size by clicking on this LINK (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/century_dragonsflame/001.jpg)

Please post your steps as well :)

Sometimes we overlook the simple ways to do things...

I extracted your mum using the Quick Mask mode method. Added a background, vignette and shadow.

Actually, I find using the Quick Mask method of extraction relaxing. It's kinda like coloring in a color book and this pose lends itself well to the method. It only took me 10 minutes to complete the job.

I copied Mum to a new layer and used the extract command which did a nice job. I didn't use a mask but Mum is all by herself on the copied layer.

Hey, Phil... Mum looks like an offensive lineman with her elbow sticking out there like that... LOL...

Hi there

I do not have a good background but this will have to do... :grin:

Anyway I used the pen to outline what I could. Then filled the selection with white on a red channel copy... I used overlay brushes to get the hair and background separated.

A ctrl click on RGB to load the selection from the red copy.

Duplicated the background and on the duplicate with the selecion active I opened a mask.

Inserted a new background below then refined the mask as needed.

I did not like the flip of hair on the lower left so I masked it out.

Then a photofilter adjustment with a color selected from the back ground to get rid of the green reflection tint and that was it.

Butch

The Extract Filter in Photoshop will cut out your mom in 2 minutes.
The harsh lighting seems to accentuate her facial lines. So I used Ro's Degrunge technique to soften the lines a bit.
Regards, Murray

i duped the background layer and erased what i didnt want. near the hair i simply lowered the opacity on the eraser. added a gradient layer beneath this layer. did some fine erasing on the duped layer. did a little darkening around the edges and softened the edges a bit.

craig

I find the best way to drop backgrounds so you can hold the detail is to do it throught you channels.

Because you've got pretty good contrast between figure and background, it's a suitable subject for using the extract filter.

As with all extractions using this method, a little touching up with eraser and history brush was needed, but this was minimal. Took out the stray hairs on her collar as they contributed nothing to the picture.

Had to use the small image, as the link you gave for the larger image did not allow me access.

Hi,

I made a 'Channel' selection using Red and Blue Channels..

Hey guys, they're really good!

I'm sorry the link to the larger image didn't work so well, here is another that may...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/century_dragonsflame/001.jpg

Maybe easier to wait for mum to get off the couch! (hehe)

lol, cassidy. i think maybe you went a bit too far in 'cutting out mumm' :)

craig

You may think me strange but I just love the background and if I were you I would never get rid of it. It is an interesting detail in the picture, it tells a story.
No offence to previous posts, but once you replace the background with a common one.. it becomes a little bit boring..
This is just my personal point of view.

:rolleyes:

I agree, the background does tell a story, but I'm asking for workarounds because I shot this, keeping in mind that somepople may hand me dire images to retouch with backgrounds more hideous than this and I'm going to have to cut the person out and put them on a better background. The hair has proven (to me) the most difficult aspect of this shot.

I am trying out the different techniques people have posted here and I'm very grateful for your help.

By the way please feel free to do what ever to mum, if you want to make her 20 years younger or if you want to practice your hair adding skills in difficult situations then please go ahead :)