New to all this editing stuff and need help !!

[Digiboy]

I was given an image file on a cd with the instructions to remove the light haired woman and create a photo of just the dark haired lady. I am quite new to photo editing so my attempt is quite rough. I am having problems with the left hand side of her body (Her left not mine). I have attached the original image, my attempt and an copy without the flowers. Any pointers on what to do would be great, I am not asking people to do it for me just please point me in the right direction.
Thanks

[Dave.Cox]

When removing something from a photo like the women in this photo, you must replace here with something that fits with the remaining subject. That means either you must draw it back in, or source it from somewhere else. You can try covering up the area, but it should be believable. You are going to need to do something about restoring the left arm and left side of the body. The body actually shouldn't be too diffacult. just visualize the outline of where it should be, and fill it back in. Be sure to add some folds in the material. You might try adding a couch for her to sit upon, and drape an arm across the back of the couch.

When doing your cutout, be careful not to leave holes where you need to keep. For example, there is a whole in the forehead where the background shows through. Also, you might soften the edge where you cut around the hair.

Also remember, anything that you add needs to interact with the picture. The flowers should and the new arm should cast shadows. also, it never hurts to have objects appear to hide each other where appropriate. For example the arm in front of the flowers, but some sprigs of the flowers over the arm.

Keep working, and you will get there.

[NCP Doug]

Digiboy,

Since your instructions were less than detailed, perhaps you could crop the photo into a closer view of just the head. This would be a LOT less work than rebuilding all the missing parts.

It all depends on what is expected in the final product.

[0lBaldy]

Would something like this work?

[Digiboy]

Wow such a quick response from a lot of people Thank you so much.
First off Dave Thank you for some fantastic suggestions I will certainly try to add a couch or something (not sure I am up to it but I will keep trying until I get it right)

NCP Doug I think my friend wants as much body as possible but I will certainly give him a cropped shot to see if he likes it Thank You

0lBaldy I can certainly do something like and show him Thanks.

[Daviskw]

Here is another way to go

Butch

[Digiboy]

Now I am sure his sister wouild love that !!!!!
Fantastic work
Thank you

[One4UAll]

Obviously, my rendition leaves a lot to be desired. OlBaldy has done a far better job with the pose. But, I did not copy him. I was not aware of his work until I went to post this. What was it someone said about great minds? :-) I'm submitting this as a solution to handling the left side of the subject after cloning out the other lady.

Basically, I think the ambience of the background should be preserved much as possible, unless it doesn't matter to the client. I can't see turning a photo into something it isn't, unless that's what the client wants.

Lots of issues remain, but I hope Digiboy has enough, now, to send him on his way.

[I have a lot of issues on my own about resizing images for RePRO, despite all the help I've gotten, here. Sorry for the poor quality.]

[Digiboy]

Thank you One4UAll I have certainly got plenty to be going on with I really appreciate all the help and advice I have been given.
Thanks to everyone

[Digiboy]

Its me again!!
I just wanted to show you what I have done, my friend said he was overjoyed with the result but I am not too happy with the left side, but as long as he likes it that is all that matters.
Thanks again to everyone for the help

[One4UAll]

Nice job. What probably bothers you re: her left side is what bothers me, too. That corner where her arm goes over the "sofa" is too sharp. You could take off that sharpness by cloning in, just a little, some surrounding skin to take off that sharp corner. IOW, make a curve out of that angle. [I'm sorry, I meant "corner," not "angle."]

[Nanls]

Originally Posted by Daviskw

Here is another way to go

Butch

thanks for the laugh Butch.
~Nancy