replacing and creating a new background

[risenshine]

Hi All

I have a images with a really crap background - the model is on a grey background but the rest of the crop shows the studio set up, due to the image size requirements i cannot crop in smaller.
I would like to know how to create an authentic looking background of a grey colorama. Any pointers would really help

Tia

[Repairman]

So many ways but here's just one. Make a solid panel of grey large enough to accommodate all the crops. Add grain which matches the photo. Assuming there is a light/dark gradation from top to bottom (or left/right or halo) create a gradation mask that matches it and then use any sort of light/dark curve to alter the tonal value through the mask selection. If you get your greys and grads right you won't have to mask the model but simply blend/feather in the new colour to the existing colorama. If you posted a pic it would help as sometimes you can simply stretch the background in the x or y planes to the crop edges. Depends on the pic.
R.

[risenshine]

Hi Repairman
Thanks for the help, with this image i can't post full image but maybe this crop might help to give a better idea?

[Repairman]

That helps. Looks like a sharp pic so you may get a way with a horizontal distortion of the background. What size will you output the file (at 300dpi) If you can wait till tomorrow I can PM a diagram/instruction if you like.
R.

[risenshine]

awesome!!! yes at 300dpi that would be soo helpful xx

[Repairman]

PM a low res version of the whole image and indicate how much area you need to fill. You can block out the model with flat colour if you need to maintain confidentiality. Its important to know exactly what the 'extra' area needs to be as that determines the method; why, sometimes I even blend the two methods. BTW - the method is a piece of cake; the art is in the blends!
R.

[risenshine]

Ok, Thanks to repair man I am half way there, the next problem is extending the background and adding fake shadow

any ideas?

The second is how far i've gotten but not happy with it all

[Repairman]

If you send the file to my office email Ris I'll be happy to take you through it. I'm out till early afternoon though.
R.

[risenshine]

thanks R xx

[klam]

You can always try using photoshops content aware scale feature to extend the seamless paper out to the edges.

[Mike Needham]

content aware scale

I was going to suggest this too, for the job you have it looks like it might work.