difficult background swapping tips?

[okplayer]

I was wondering if anyone would want to share some of their experiences with swapping some more difficult backgrounds. What have you found to be a good method of extracting a subject with curly hair? How about when the subject doesn't have a very distinct edge where they meet with the background?

These two areas have been a pain to me for the longest, so I was just looking for some tips.

[Doug Nelson]

Take a look at the Glamour Puss Challenge for differing examples for hair.

I also posted a technique using levels to refine selections.

About the only thing I've found reliable is to make a mask that uses the actual image as its source and pumping up the contrast enough for the details to show through.

[Xaran]

Tutorial

There is also a tutorial by Flora at

Tutorial

Christine

[Flora]

Hi Greg,

Beside the great Tip from Doug, as Christine has pointed out , you might find the technique I described in this Tutorial helpful, at least for creating a stronger contrast and facilitating the selection.

You could also read these excellent Tips from DJ.

I also found a Katrin Eisman excellent Tutorial on 'Advanced Masking' here ...and another one by Russel Brown here

[okplayer]

Thanks a lot for the tips, links, and tutorials everyone. I can't wait to play around now & see what i get.

[grafx]

Possible cheating

I know it is probably cheating but has anyone tried that Extensis Mask Pro?