Image Help - - for me not possible: extract dear, help

York · #1 12-30-2007, 02:49 PM

Hi,

I'm having really problems with extracting this animal from this background.
I even tried selecting with channels, apply image, ... the whole bunch and it still looks fake!! I tried all kind of tutorials.

The problem is the contrast between animal and background: there is contrast, but it looks like it is everywhere ;-(

The only thing i didn't try is the 'calculations' stuff i was reading in this forum. I played around with 'apply image' and 'add, offset, scale,....' ... it just didn't work.

Maybe you can help for a non-fake selection?

I believe this is a real challenge.

pls your advice.

thanks,

York

Wolfman · #2 12-30-2007, 04:13 PM

It looks to me like you might have to do it the tedious way and use the pen tool.

pixelzombie · #3 12-30-2007, 04:42 PM

just do it by hand, i prefer the brush tool in quickmask mode...

mistermonday · #4 12-30-2007, 04:46 PM

York, the image you uploaded is very pixelated and could definitely use some increased edge contrast. That being said, for this image the Extract tool may be your best choice. Here is such an extract done in a few minutes and not very accurately because of the poor quality of the file posted here. However, you should be able to get a much better extraction with a higher quality higher resolution image.
Regards, Murray

York · #5 12-30-2007, 04:56 PM

Hi,

thank you very much for your quick reply.

I tried the extract tool with different settings. The results were not satisfying: when looking at 100% you see that it has been extracted.

Maybe a solution is to draw extra hair with some brush to make it look really nice.

I was wondering if i use the channels and make in the dear some parts white and some parts black, and than, combine them somehow? Something like adding parts... do not know exactly...

i'll keep on trying, but if someone knows a solution or has similar experience, let me know, am looking forward!!

thanks,

york

grannysdc · #6 12-30-2007, 06:33 PM

It is a Quicktime movie and takes a while to load.. be patient..

http://av.adobe.com/russellbrown/ExtractSM.mov

mistermonday · #7 12-30-2007, 07:00 PM

You could also try duplicating the background layer and changing the blend mode to Hard Light. This will increase the contrast and allow you to Extract or create a mask (the green channel of the composite would be a good option).
Regards, Murray

Alison · #8 12-30-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by York

Hi,

I'm having really problems with extracting this animal from this background.
I even tried selecting with channels, apply image, ... the whole bunch and it still looks fake!! I tried all kind of tutorials.

The problem is the contrast between animal and background: there is contrast, but it looks like it is everywhere ;-(

The only thing i didn't try is the 'calculations' stuff i was reading in this forum. I played around with 'apply image' and 'add, offset, scale,....' ... it just didn't work.

Maybe you can help for a non-fake selection?

I believe this is a real challenge.

pls your advice.

thanks,

York

You can get away with some things depending on what b/ground you are going to place the deer on.

I've used the history brush and smudge tool to get the effect where indicated on the image.

new layer>gradient (or the image of your choice)>take snapshot>set history brush to original image and brush the deer back in roughly> set history brush to gradient layer and refine>stamp visible>use smudge tool set to low opacity 25%(about) and pull back out some of the hair. See image where indicated. You will need the original image to get a sense of where to do that.

shaybshay · #9 12-31-2007, 03:41 AM

I think Alison said it best "...depending on what b/ground you are going to place the deer on."You got some good advice so far so I guess I'll just add that working with all those fine hairs takes a long time and be careful of hard edges. Other elements to consider; light, color temp, shadows and natural envrioment. Your deer is in a rather strange pose so it might be difficult putting it anywhere that would look natural. Here is a little one I did that took forever.

Steve Conway · #10 12-31-2007, 09:54 AM

Did this one with GML matting. Added a painterly effect.

GML is a freebie and easy to use.

Steve C.

sheika · #11 12-31-2007, 09:31 PM

I used the Magnetic Lasso and Eraser in CS3 to extract the deer from original background. Contracted and feathered it 1 pixed and then added a slight drop shadow.

I applied the Match Color filter to the new background.

0lBaldy · #12 01-01-2008, 12:30 AM

Used the Russell Brown method as suggested by Grannysdc above...

York · #13 01-01-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheika

I used the Magic Lasso and Eraser in CS3 to extract the deer from original background. Contracted and feathered it 1 pixed and then added a slight drop shadow.

I applied the Match Color filter to the new background.

This one is really good! I'm going to try this later, just the lasso tool...

Thank you all for the good advice!!

For me, it is clear now that it is allmost impossible to extract some elements out of its background and still looks excellent at 100% view. You have to 'mask' it (feather,...).
That's why i'm allways overwhelmed when i see pics of extracted waterdrops, splashes... those are really pro's.

I wish you all the best in 2008 and hope you enjoy retouchpro just like i do!

cu

York