Background problem

[pixeljar]

Hi,

please help, I am trying to find out a quick solution on how to deal with the background of the attached image,

I have tried using stamp in different modes and opacity, healing, patching, frequency separation but can't get anywhere with this background, it just gets smudgy whatever I try to do with it.

I would like to get rid of the branches in the upper half of the image and
clean the blemishes, it looked like an easy thing at first, but maybe because of the image grain, it plays tricks on me and drive me crazy, so far I've spent more time on the background than on the model.

Thanks a lot for your help!!!

[pixeljar]

it can be also due to the background having it's natural gradient created by flash making it difficult to clone

[lucija]

if you need steps feel free to ask :-)

[lucija]

sorry i messed something with the reply :-)

try with the backgroud eraser tool- you have to change back and forground colors a few time but it looks ok in the end

[lucija]

i don't understand what you exactly need but i beleive something like this

[pixeljar]

Thanks Lucija, basically I need to clean the background, change the color to warmish leaving the natural light gradient and trees intact,

your selection skills are impressive,

what steps do you take for hair?

Thanks

[lucija]

1 you make a copy layer
2 make a path and leave space by the hear and other problematic area
3 make selection and copy a new layer
4 select blue background with magic wond, check off contiguous and put feather 3-4
5 now use the background eraser where you selected forground and backgroud color
6 i put a red layer underneath so i can see if there something not right
7 you have to change the background color all the time because it's darker on some places
8 make your original layer active again and change it how you please

[pixeljar]

Thanks a lot for help, I will check this method out! I thought you may be using refine edges to get all the little heir selected.

[lucija]

yes, you may use that too, there are a lot of different ways, i found this one today http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=335

but usually i use background eraser- it's simple, you can easy control it, it works successfully in most cases, i love it :-)

[BagLady]

Hello Pixeljar,

It's sometimes easier to recreate parts of a background instead of trying to clean it... If I understand correctly, you just want to get rid of the trees in the upper half of the image. Here's what I did:

Sample background color right above the models RIGHT shoulder (left on your screen).

Make a rectangular selection from the top of the image down to the shoulders and fill a new blank layer with sampled color.

Add noise to match the original background (I used 1% uniform).

Add a hide all mask and using a soft white brush, paint over unwanted tree branches.

To bring back highlights and shadows in the background, I used curves and a bit of d&b on a soft light 50% gray layer.

Hope this helps! :-)

[pixeljar]

That's right BagLady, it's a similar idea that came to me later after I gave it a rest for a while

Too many hours of retouching can melt your brain I guess



Thanks!!

[chillin]

I think frequency separation would help

[lucija]

it looks like i misunderstood the question :-) but now i have a few... baglady would you please explain your answer a little bit, i don't understand the steps -To bring back highlights and shadows in the background, I used curves and a bit of d&b on a soft light 50% gray layer.?? and chillin what is frequency separation??? uf, thanks

[chillin]

Originally Posted by lucija

... chillin what is frequency separation??? uf, thanks

lucija visit this thread for more helpful tips.

[Flashtones]

chillin, looks like Lanenga came up with your exact solution just days after you did. Funny how that works. ;-)

[lucija]

thanks

[BagLady]

Originally Posted by lucija

it looks like i misunderstood the question :-) but now i have a few... baglady would you please explain your answer a little bit, i don't understand the steps -To bring back highlights and shadows in the background, I used curves and a bit of d&b on a soft light 50% gray layer.?? and chillin what is frequency separation??? uf, thanks

It's the dodge and burn technique (an absolute must) which is used to lighten or darken specific areas (big or pore sized) of an image. It may be done by using two separate curve layers (one for darkening and one for lightening) or on one soft light, 50% gray layer. These two d&b methods may also be combined in a work-flow.

The curves method requires masking while the soft light 50% gray layer requires painting with a black or white soft round brush at a very low opacity on one single layer.

Both of these methods are a great, non destructive way of cleaning up the skin, sculpting the face/body, or simply adding highlights/shadows to specific parts of an image. In this case, I used the two curves for the background.... (since I replaced the upper part of the background with one flat color, I had to bring back the highlight in the middle and the dark shades towards the left and right borders). I used the 50% gray layer to lighten up some small dark splotches around the hair.

Dodge and burn with curves tutorial:
http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=272

I haven't found a tutorial on the soft light 50% gray technique.... If I find a good one, I'll post it. Anyway, It's done like this:

create a new layer above your image as follows:

layer/new layer
in the pop up window select mode: soft light
below, check "Fill with soft light neutral color (50% gray)"
Click ok

A new gray layer will appear. This is where you should paint with a soft edge, low opacity white brush to lighten the dark spots/areas. Use a black brush to darken areas that are too light.

I hope this helps... If you have other questions feel free to ask! I would also suggest taking time to learn frequency separation as suggested by Chillin ;-)

[lucija]

baglady thank you very much :-)))