cut form background

[jaroslav]

I found quite good method to cut object form background. Link -> http://www.photoshopdemos.com/tag/cut-out-a-background/

It's fast and nice, but there's one problem I cut model form the background, and i've got some pieces of old background between hair.

I don't know how to remove this..

I played with different values of rifne edge... ( select -> rifne edge... only in PS CS 3 )

but I did nothing...

Can U help me ?

thx

psd file : http://www.sendspace.com/file/bc5a72 ( 1,5 mb )

[igot2pman]

I always like how you post full PSD's... they makes things a lot easyer.

Make a copy of the layer and hide it. Use blend if on the original layer; Blend if: this layer: 44/127 (Alt+click to seperate sliders).

As you can see the face is also gone. Unhide the duplicate. then use a mask to hide the parts that are bad. Dont forget to mask the cheek and arm edges as they have some white. I masked the cheek at 800% slowly.

Hope it helps,
-Keven

[Flora]

jaroslav,

pity you didn't post the original version in addition to the link to your .PSD file ...

the following links are for two Tutorial I wrote on this topic.. the first is on the technique explained by igot2pman:

Using "Blend If" for Selections and Selective Corrections

The second is about completely different techniques which are dependent on the original background:

Masking difficult, flyaway Hair.

[jaroslav]

original jpg - > http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ouxa4

[Flora]

Used the White Background technique described in the 2nd Tutorial. (Attachment1)

Once "cut/isolated" the subject, even if in no conventional way, you can actually use whatever background you like.. (Attachment 2 + 3)

[jvr]

Flora,

Do you know a way to "merge" the Normal and both Multiply layers to keep the subject in just one transparent layer?

I'm always afraid to give clients the retouch in more than one layer. Then can do a mess with it.

[Tareq]

I should learn about selection, because i have many shots of my daughter on plain color background but many times it is difficult to isolate them perfectly from background.
So my question is, should i use certain color of background so then i can cut them of on photoshop easily without having problems with hair and clothes and edges?

[jvr]

Tareq,

You can use Blue or Green backgrounds and use the second tutorial that Flora posted here above "Masking difficult, flyaway Hair". Check it out. It's pretty easy.

[jaroslav]

Originally Posted by jvr

Flora,

Do you know a way to "merge" the Normal and both Multiply layers to keep the subject in just one transparent layer?

I'm always afraid to give clients the retouch in more than one layer. Then can do a mess with it.

How about selcet top layer and go to edit > copy merged ?

[jvr]

No. When you use "normal" and "multiply" layers, merging doesn't work fine.
The white borders you remove with the use of "multiply", are back when you merge the layers.

[Flora]

jvr,

sorry to get back so late but I've been doing a lot of travelling in this past week...

Originally Posted by jvr

Flora,

Do you know a way to "merge" the Normal and both Multiply layers to keep the subject in just one transparent layer?

I'm always afraid to give clients the retouch in more than one layer. Then can do a mess with it.

... Right ... Why not provide them with a few variations of the finished product?

Originally Posted by jvr

No. When you use "normal" and "multiply" layers, merging doesn't work fine.
The white borders you remove with the use of "multiply", are back when you merge the layers.

Yep! ... This is because what I used here is an unconventional way of selecting based on Layers' Blending Modes ... Sooo, if you have to give the selection on transparency you'll have to use one of the traditional methods, often, having to compromise on the result ...

I've been 'experimenting' a bit ... (didn't want to lose the flyaway hair) and found a way which worked rather well on this image (might not work at all with other pictures..) and here it is:

Mask

• Duplicated the Blue Channel (strongest contrast) to use as mask.

• Inverted the duplicate and used Levels (globally and selectively) on it to increase contrast.

• Refined the mask using fuzzy black and white brushes (set to Overlay - Opacity 40-70%)

• Copied my selection and pasted it on a new blank layer.

(Attachment 1) my mask

The mask/selection had captured the flyaway hair which showed nearly white against a dark background ... (Attachment 2)

Adjusting Selection

• Working on my 'selection only Layer' I created a Levels Adjustment Layer to darken the flyaway hair and added a Selective Color Adjustment Layer to brighten up the colour of the darkened hair. (Clipping Mask for both of them) (Attachment 3)

(Attachment 24) my result.

Hope this helps...