help replaceing background

[Mike Kalcevic]

I need to replace the background in this one with a solid color (Pantone 281c). Concerning the hair, is there an easy way to do it?

http://mekphotography.smugmug.com/ph...68_9jy34-L.jpg

[Wolfman]

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pho...rbps_2fwks.htm

[ktg222]

There has been a lot of postings on replacing backgrounds on this site and others. Search in this site replacing backgrounds. A lot written about it too.

I use an amalgam of techniques. Russell Brown, Katrin Eismann, pages of notes I have gleaned over the years. Check out Katrin Eismann's Masking and Compositing book. Google Russell Brown's Tips and Techniques.

Masking a dark background with hair is a challenge.

K

[Swampy]

Actually, this is pretty easy since there is so much red in her hair and you have a studio background to start with. This technique requires CS3, but you gurus that know how to manipulate channels through curves may be able to emulate it in a lower versions of PS.

I used a duplicate blue channel, did a levels adjustment, then inverted. Cleaned up the white areas of the mask (subject's face and body), but left the exterior hair alone. One last levels adjustment for some gray areas in the background. Load and add as a mask.

The result left the exterior hair ghosted and fringed. (JPG #1 shows the fringing and haloing. Easy fix... Load your mask as a selection then add a Black and White Adjustment layer set to Luminosity blend mode. Now play with the sliders. My settings were 77,129,27,-62,-109 and 125. (#2 JPEG)

Adjust the mask on this layer by painting back the natural colors in her face, because the above adjustment is going to affect skin tones. (JPEG #3)

[Mike Kalcevic]

Excellent Swampy!

That's what I'm looking for! I think I'm missing a step though... When I add the B&W later, I set the sliders to where you indicated, and the blue background blacked out... Any advice?

[Swampy]

Do you have the layers stacked as I do? Be sure to load the Blue channel mask (Command click on the mask - Mac/Control click PC) _before_ you add the B/W adjustment layer so that it creates a duplicate of the blue channel mask on the B/W adjustment layer.

[Mike Kalcevic]

Thanks Swampy! I had the mask on the B&W wrong. Now, I think I just need to tweak the levels steps and I should be set.

[isabel95]

Separating subjects from backgrounds can be quite an involved procedure, especially if the subject and background are similar in color.

I tried many online tuts and found the best information in a video I purchased from this site:
<http://www.digital-background.net/?gclid=CNWMpIOM-4MCFRRUUAodP2ySfA>

He also discusses creating new backgrounds.

I was reluctant to spend the money for the video, but very pleased with what I learned.

Isabel

Originally Posted by Mike Kalcevic

I need to replace the background in this one with a solid color (Pantone 281c). Concerning the hair, is there an easy way to do it?

http://mekphotography.smugmug.com/ph...68_9jy34-L.jpg

[Swampy]

Monitor calibration can make a difference in the B/W adjustment numbers. All you are tweaking for are those flyaway hairs since you can paint (black) back on the skin tones/clothes etc to restore the original color from the layer below.

I use a similar technique with the B/W adjustment when I need to fully replace a sky. I've got a tutorial on this and the link is in my sig below.

Glad to be of help.

[Daviskw]

It is a tough one...too bad you can't lighten the background..it would make it a lot easier.

Butch

[Mike Kalcevic]

I actually have three choices for the background color, 281c, 1797c, and another one that I can't remember off of the top of my head, but it's like a very light aqua/teal. (I'm not at my regular computer right now) I tried with this one, and it came out pretty good using Swampy's technique, but I still need to do the range of colors for these. I need to double check with the client, but for the application of these shots, I think the tolerance for this hair issue is pretty lax.

Using Swampy's technique, getting up and walking away from the screen for a few minutes, then coming back to look at it, they're turning out pretty good. I'll post a few later when I have a chance to. (This assignment has a pretty tight deadline, so I might not be able to post them until the end of the week)

Thanks everyone (especially Swampy, next time I'm in Florida, beers are on me)!!