Q: Cloning & background

[Jeanmilden1]

I have been using my digital camera for 6 months and working with a very old paint shop version. I just downloaded a newer version for a tryout - but think I will go with photoshop. Anyway, I am a newbie and I know how to clone but it leaves much to be desired. How do you all get that selected area in another photo without it looking like it has been copied. Mine always has parts of the remaining photo in it. Yes, I can smooth it in but it never looks right. Maybe there is a article I can read if someone can point me in that direction. And, I don't understand Mask and layers. Thanks for any information. Jean

[Andrew B.]

Hi Jean. I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you talking about selecting and copying a person or background from one picture to another and it doesn't blend in right??? Or are you using the clone tool within an area on one picture and it's not working right?

Can you post a picture to show us the problem you are having?

[Jeanmilden1]

Cloning

Andrew, I am having trouble with both. I take lots of pictures of shelter animals and put them on Petfinders - I would like to give them a nice looking background instead of the cages they are in - that is my main problem. Here is a picture I would like to replace the background - and I can't get him out looking professional. Thanks for helping.
Not too sure how to work this but the first picture is the original and I will post the next (Mess) in another post as I don't know how to upload two pictures at once.

[Jeanmilden1]

This is the one I used the clone tool on - I am sort of thinking I am way off base. Jean

[Blacknight]

I think what you're looking for can best be found in a mask, and in Photoshop it's really very easy. Here is a URL for Sarah's Watercolor tutorial, but it explains mask usage very well. I did the attached pic in about a minute using a mask. Once you do it, you'll wonder why you ever thought it was hard!

[Jeanmilden1]

Blacknight, That was Great - just what I am looking to do. I am using Paint Shop Pro Ver.3 from the days of yesteryear! I do have to buy a new program so I guess it will be Photoshop - do you think Elements will do it ok or will I need the 7. Thanks so much for your help - The picture looks great.

[Blacknight]

I think Big Al uses PSP. There may be others here who do also. I use Photoshop, and am not familiar with elements. Richard Lynch could no doubt answer the Elements question for you. They are both here, if you look under members, and I'm sure would be happy to assist you.

[Andrew B.]

Jean,

I think the photo you posted looks pretty good as is. Were it me, I would not remove the background. I would just remove the three objects sitting on the carpet. And the reason I would leave the carpet is it's pretty adorable to have a little dog looking at you with that look on his/her face, and the carpet there makes it feel almost real. I'm attaching what I would do.

But I have to ask you something. What will the output be. Will this be printed, photocopied, posted on a web page, something else? The output makes a big difference in what kind of photo you want to prepare.

BTW, I did a quick extraction of the dog from the background, and it's not one of the easier photo operations one can do. I'll attach it to the next message in case you want to play with it. I put it on a bright green background so you can easily select the green with the magic wand tool and remove or replace it.

Andrew

[Andrew B.]

And here it the extracted dog on a green background.

[Guest]

Andrew, nice job with the extraction tool. That is not the easiest filter to use for a beginner, however, so maybe your first suggestion is the better one in this case. I too like the rug.


Jean:

As far as which program to buy, Photoshop is worth the money in the long run because it can do so much.

As far as dogs in cages, I see nothing wrong with picturing them that way... for a web page, I'm guessing. When I see an animal in a cage I am more likely to want to save it and give it a nice home. It makes the animals look like they need a home...and they DO! My sister-in-law runs a shelter also and she posts pics of her animals all the time...sitting in their cages or on the floor or anywhere they happen to be. They get adopted just the same, so I would not worry about "presentation" in this case...really.

Phyllis

[Jeanmilden1]

Originally posted by Andrew B.
And here it the extracted dog on a green background.

That looks great and I have been trying since Sunday to do this - I have now deleated Paint shop and need to try Elements - Guess I will have to find an elements person to ask - if I can do it or just get the Photoshop$$ - Why don't you do a 101 class on this. How do you extract the darn thing? I know how to get rid of the items in the picture I just wanted to know how to extract. Thanks.

[Jeanmilden1]

Jean:

As far as which program to buy, Photoshop is worth the money in the long run because it can do so much.

As far as dogs in cages, I see nothing wrong with picturing them that way... for a web page, I'm guessing. When I see an animal in a cage I am more likely to want to save it and give it a nice home. It makes the animals look like they need a home...and they DO! My sister-in-law runs a shelter also and she posts pics of her animals all the time...sitting in their cages or on the floor or anywhere they happen to be. They get adopted just the same, so I would not worry about "presentation" in this case...really.

Phyllis [/B][/QUOTE]
Phyllis, Thanks for the tips about the animals - These pets go on Petfinders.org. I Mainly wanted to know how to extract - I can remove items from a picture but I can't extract. What would you do with this picture of a very laid back cat named Romeow! I am just trying to learn so could I take out the background and make him look like he is lounging over something else? Thanks,

[Jeanmilden1]

For Blacknight -

I looked at Sarah's tututorial and am lost - I need Photoshop for that. How did you do that Picture in one minute? Did you use a mask? If you know of a newbie tutorial on extracting like you did , please let me know. And, did you spray paint that background?
Sorry for all the questions - I know I have to start at the begenning but this one function I want to do now if I can. Thanks, Jean

[tyeise]

Is this the sort of idea you had?

I used PSP8 beta, and promoted the cat to a layer. Then I removed the background, added another layer behind that one, added a gradient, then added a bit of noise so it would match the rest of the image. I also removed the seam from the shoulder so that it would look like he was draped over a cloth instead.

Tyeise

[Stephen M]

A link to further links on masking/extraction:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/PSTV_links.html#M

Stephen Marsh.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/