Photo Compositing - - 3 Steps to a Perfect Studio Backdrop - Page 2

gadelallo · #16 10-07-2003, 06:58 PM

I'm not too good at this but I can't get the light in the center of the canvas. I'm using radial gradient as instructed.
Can some one tell me what to do?
Thanks

DannyRaphael · #17 10-07-2003, 08:31 PM

Hello, gadelallo, and Welcome to RetouchPRO.

I'm not familiar with this technique specifically, but in reading through the thread I noticed there are two methods described:

1. The first one by DJ uses a Radial Gradient, the result of which doesn't really yield a light in the middle of the canvas.

2. The other uses the Lighting Effects filter, which Joe described and lkeeney used in his example.

So, I'm not quite sure how to help you. Have you tried the Render > Lighting Effects method Joe described?

~DannyR~

gadelallo · #18 10-08-2003, 04:11 PM

lkeeney
Great job- how did you get the boy on the backdrop. Did you use extract and if you did how did you get all hos hair to come out so perfect.

heathrowe · #19 09-13-2004, 03:02 PM

Nice tip indeed..

One of which I have been employing a lot of lately, and thats the use of the 'Fade' command.

Too bad you only get one shot at its use and its not edit able like an adjustment layer.

Oh well, can't win them all.
Nice Tip
heathrowe

Melv · #20 02-10-2005, 10:27 AM

May seem a stupid question to you but for me I'm stumped at the first hurdle.

WendyW · #21 02-10-2005, 11:33 AM

Select the gradient tool ... then if you look up at the top of the screen you will see several boxes with gradient options in them. The second one from the left is the radial gradient.

Wendy

DJ Dubovsky · #22 02-10-2005, 11:41 AM

Hi Melv, there's no stupid questions here. Chances are others didn't understand the description either so you are helping them in the process. That's always a good thing here.

Ok, lets try to clear it up a bit. In step 1, you open a blank canvas in the size and resolution you need. (see, I had left that little bit out so it was confusing)

Now you should make sure you are in the default colors of white on top and black below in your foreground/background colors. These are the default colors.

Select the gradient tool in the tool palette and set it to the circular (radial) gradient. Select a point in the center of your canvas or a bit off center if you prefer and drag the line outward. This should leave you with a light circular center and a dark outer rim on your canvas. (If not just flip your foreground and background colors and try again)

Now go to your forground and background colors and choose two colors of your choice. I recommend a light color and a darker color to create contrast.
Go to your filter drop down and choose Render > Clouds

That will create clouds that totally obliterate your previous gradient so to allow the gradient to show through you need to lesson the opacity of clouds. You do this by going to Edit > Fade Clouds and adjust the slider way back until you get amount of gradient vs colored clouds that you prefer.

Let me know if that helps clarify things better for you. Good luck.

DJ

Melv · #23 02-11-2005, 08:18 AM

OK thank you for that explanation, you say open a new canvas in the size and resolution you need. How do I know this? Is it the same size as the image I will be using or larger?
Thanks for your help.
Melv

Melv · #24 02-11-2005, 08:27 AM

Also when done how do I get an image into it (Or vice versa) so this becomes the background.
Melv

WendyW · #25 02-11-2005, 09:06 AM

Melv,

One way of doing it is to use one of the selection tools (such as the lasso tool) to select your "person" then do Edit>Copy. Now go to your new background image and do Edit>Paste.

Wendy

DJ Dubovsky · #26 02-11-2005, 11:26 AM

What I usually do, if I plan to reuse it, is to open a canvas in a high resolution say 300 dpi or higher if I plan to create a poster size portrait. That way if you need it for a lower resolution image, you can always lower the resolution without any loss as opposed to making it too low a resolution and trying to enlarge it to fit a larger size image you're working with. But if you only plan to use it the one time than yes I would make it the same resolution and dimensions as your image.
DJ

Melv · #27 02-12-2005, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WendyW

Melv,

One way of doing it is to use one of the selection tools (such as the lasso tool) to select your "person" then do Edit>Copy. Now go to your new background image and do Edit>Paste.

Wendy

Do you use a new layer?
Melv

Melv · #28 02-12-2005, 06:34 AM

Also what mode should I be in rgb gives me every colour of the rainbow and greyscale does not let me see anything apart from black and white.
Melv

Melv · #29 02-12-2005, 06:58 AM

OK forget the last post I managed to do it in the end but would appreciate help on colours as I'm not happy with the colours I have here. http://www.ukmidlandscanner.co.uk/tracy.htm

Xaran · #30 02-12-2005, 09:37 AM

Melv,

Not quite sure what you are trying to achieve but here's what I do when changing a background.

Assuming you are using Photoshop...
Create a new layer select a colour from the part of the image you wish to keep for the foreground. Select a darker shade of the same colour for the background. Using the radial gradient tool drag out from the centre of the image. This will fill the layer with the radial gradient lightest colour should be in the centre. You can drag past the edges of the image to get just the gradient you want.

Now create a hide all layer mask (hold ALT and click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers palette).

With the mask selected (click on it to make sure) and using white and a hard brush paint over the area you want to hide in the original image. Apply a small amount of gaussian blur to the mask.

Click on the gradient layer thumbnail (to select the layer not the mask) and add a texture.

I selected colour from the hair this allows it to blend in easier.

I also merged visible layers to a new layer - heavy gaussian blur and changed layer mode to screen at 40%.

Christine