Hair is a pain. - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/27/2006 04:29:40 PM · #1

I'm bald (by choice..for the most part) and I don't have this problem.

I took this photo...

and I had a hard time cutting out the background on the right side. I ended up with this photo...

It was originally just going to be a snapshot of Cindy, but I decided to turn it into a portrait. Did I do okay? I would have loved to have used a different background color, but every other color I tried gave me a really noticeably screwed up hairline.

Are there any tricks I could have tried? I really suck at PS, I just don't really know what I'm doing.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

12/27/2006 04:39:59 PM · #2

Doesn't look bad for a job done in post.

At the same time, a 2 dollar piece of black or white foamcore is easy enough to carry around and saves you an hour in photoshop later doing detailed selection work.

amandalore

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/27/2006 04:49:18 PM · #3

you might try using the blur tool on a very low percentage and a really soft brush edge to go around her hair line.

but really, the only part I notice is the tiny part on the right side where you can see a highlight, I'd softly darken that, or try to do what I said above (also, put a bit more contrast to her face to bring it out from the background)

looks great though, and I like the color... an especially great job considering what you started with - I think she'll love it

12/27/2006 04:51:04 PM · #4

Originally posted by routerguy666:

a 2 dollar piece of black or white foamcore is easy enough to carry around

Now that would be a good idea, but I was just at the bank making a deposit and wasn't out looking to take any portraits. She was sitting there and the other teller was commenting about my camera and I just raised it and took their pictures.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/27/2006 04:52:51 PM · #5

Originally posted by amandalore:

Thanks for the ideas. I hope she likes it. Since I used DPCPrints to print...

1 8x10
2 5x7
4 4x6
4 3.5x5
8 wallets

amandalore

Canon EOS-40D

12/27/2006 05:32:56 PM · #6

yeah, I think it's a great shot

(and don't worry, only a bunch of nitpickers like us would see anything to fix about it)

I'm sure she'll be thrilled and amazed at how you got that photo from the one of her at work

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/27/2006 05:36:28 PM · #7

Thanks. I may not participate very often in challenges, but I take the feedback from DPC as a great learning tool.

amandalore

Canon EOS-40D

12/27/2006 05:43:28 PM · #8

Originally posted by NathanW:

Thanks. I may not participate very often in challenges, but I take the feedback from DPC as a great learning tool.

that's the best way to take it : )

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/27/2006 06:16:17 PM · #9

Originally posted by NathanW:

Are there any tricks I could have tried? I really suck at PS, I just don't really know what I'm doing.

Try this technique.

Alpha Channel Extraction