Approach to remove/improve background?

[Morph]

since i'm self taught on photoshop, there's a lot of basic stuff i feel that i'm not necessarily familiar with... a good example is this photo where i'd like to remove/replace/blur the background... i'm not even sure if i'm asking this the correct way... when i've attempted this before, it's not turned out to look realistic and i've got myself convinced i'm not approaching this the right way.

any advice for something like this? many thanks....

[lurch]

Morph,

You could try something like this. I just painted a mask for the baby (she's a cutie) in quick mask and used it to separate her from the hairy legs, which I set to multiply, blurred, and duplicated. Finished up with a color correction and red eye removal.

[Morph]

thank you lurch! i'm going to go try apply your steps to another of her on the same lap... i'll post my results but probably not till tomorrow... i think it's the mask that's held me back so long... i think i may have a better idea how to use it now after attempting it many times b4 w/out any success. appreciate your time & direction

[crazyfly1]

Nice job Lurch!
Morph, I just made a selection of the baby and then inverted it, then I used guassian blur at the max setting and then added a layer mask and softened the edges around the selection with a soft brush.

[Morph]

thanks again, lurch & crazyfly1! i'm attaching my attempt... does CS have improved masking techniques? or, maybe masking gets easier the more you do it? i think my copy looks much more cut/paste than either of yours...

[Daviskw]

cutie alert....cutie alert...lol

As others have said maybe a change of background may be better than blurring.

The edges are fairly straight so I used the pen tool to make a selection that I used in a mask.

Butch

[lurch]

Hi Morph,

Glad to have been helpful. I think it is that masking gets easier the more you do it. Katrin Eisman's book "Masking and Compositing" is a great source for tips and instruction.

[0lBaldy]

Saw the "Cutie Alert!" and had to have a go..

The Russell Brown Quicktime movie on masking shows a very nice way to get a good selection.. it is HERE (may take a while to load, be patient it is worth it!)

Sometimes a small bit of blur to the mask softens the edges some.. Also, adding a hint of shadow to the cutout adds to the realism

[Morph]

thank you for the added tips & references... i'm going to go check the library for the book & watch the quicktime movie now. also, going to try the pen in masking... appreciate the help as always! i'll pass along the cutie alert

[swarbees]

This is my try---
I went with gold velvet to match the ribbon after color correction

Sandi

[Daviskw]

Thats good Sandi

Butch

[swarbees]

can't resist a cutie
;+}

[swarbees]

I really like Lurch's baby on black but I made the background dark enough to hide every hair. I don't know if it looks as good this way. Baby looks a little like she's floating in space??

[Daviskw]

swarbees

you could always add a white gradient behind the sweeties head then adjust the opacity to separate the head and hair from the black background.

Or use a complimentary color

Butch

[Morph]

The Russell Brown clip is "amazing but true" Seriously, that is one of the best tutorials I've encountered ~ thanks much for the link. And, I'm pleased as punch that the library had the Masking & Compositing book. I actually think some of this stuff is starting to sink into my thick skull.

You all are amazing with your skills & willingness to share ideas. A big THANK YOU!