How to clone out background behind earrings?

07/25/2010 02:14:51 PM · #1

Hey guys, so I'm working on a photo and am trying to clone out bags behind this woman's earrings, and having a hard time! Here is the original

and here is my shot at trying to get the bag out without ruining the earring.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Message edited by author 2010-07-25 14:16:55.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/25/2010 02:35:58 PM · #2

I like Topaz Re-Mask..

This image is particularly difficult because part of what you desire to remove is bordered by slightly out of focus areas on the earrings.

In any case, here is a demo of re-mask... Keep in mind a larger image would have made the results even better.

ETA:

Here is an unsharpened version that shows off the tool a little better, although I just couldn't help but sharpen it up a bit.. :)

Message edited by author 2010-07-25 14:39:45.

JustCaree

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

07/25/2010 02:44:22 PM · #3

well I was going to give it a shot but for whatever reason I cant save the image...

if you want to email the image to me I would be happy ti give it a shot...

justcaree@gmail.com

07/25/2010 02:48:53 PM · #4

Hey Cory,

Thanks for the edit. I don't have enough money to buy Topaz :(, so I won't be able to use that feature, although it is handy!

I'm looking for something I can use within photoshop.

JustCaree, I've sent you the image :).

Thanks!

07/25/2010 02:51:41 PM · #5

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

Hey Cory,

Thanks for the edit. I don't have enough money to buy Topaz :(, so I won't be able to use that feature, although it is handy!

I'm looking for something I can use within photoshop.

JustCaree, I've sent you the image :).

Thanks!

Two words... Free Trial :)

07/25/2010 02:55:15 PM · #6

Hm ok... I still wanted my background... just without the bag. I noticed yours was a flat blue... was that intentional?

Thanks.

07/25/2010 02:57:51 PM · #7

Other than that, here is what I used to do for images like this..

Create a new image, and make the background layer white.

Then create two layers from your image.

make the top layer invisible, and work on the second layer. (the top layer is there to serve as a reference, just show/hide it to see the original image.)

Now, select your eraser tool, first use a larger diameter hard edged brush to make a line around the image, get as close as you feel comfortable with, but don't touch the part you want to keep.

Once you've "roughed out" the image, next soften the hardness to 60%, and make the brush a comfortable size to work quickly, but accurately.

Go around the image, continuing to erase what you feel comfortable erasing (remember once the brush is "soft" the edge of erasure extends beyond the indicated "size" of the brush.

Choose a smaller brush and continue to repeat the above process.

Smaller again :)..

Now, make your brush a bit larger and reduce opacity to 20%.

Blend the edges where you just couldn't quite get it right with the other brushes..

Now, after an hour or so of hard work, you should have results that are pretty much on par with what I did above.

I swear, I'm not trying to sell you Topaz, but you really do need to ask yourself how much your time is worth.. For me, Topaz paid for itself quite quickly.

07/25/2010 03:01:01 PM · #8

Interesting, I will DL the free trial and test this out...

Thanks!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/25/2010 03:01:58 PM · #9

And by blending... is that done with the blur/smudge tool?

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/25/2010 03:02:33 PM · #10

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

Hey guys, so I'm working on a photo and am trying to clone out bags behind this woman's earrings, and having a hard time! Here is the original

and here is my shot at trying to get the bag out without ruining the earring.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Don`t knock yourself, I think you have done a pretty good job with this.

07/25/2010 03:04:31 PM · #11

Thank you

Simms :).

I think at that size, it is fine, but I have entered the photo into a competition, and if I win they will want a 24inch print and that will be displayed in musuems!! I don't want the edit to be noticeable :(

07/25/2010 03:09:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

Hm ok... I still wanted my background... just without the bag. I noticed yours was a flat blue... was that intentional?

Thanks.

Absoultely..

Your edit was all black, so i just thought I'd go for blue :)

Message edited by author 2010-07-25 16:13:45.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

07/25/2010 03:12:17 PM · #13

I agree with Mark to a point, and that is why would you change her skin tone? Really..

07/25/2010 03:16:03 PM · #14

Wait... I'm confused. Can you explain more Alan?

Message edited by author 2010-07-25 15:17:36.

07/25/2010 03:22:15 PM · #15

.. Here is the best I'm going to throw at this..

I've always had a bit of a pet-peeve about following instructions, so far be it for me not to follow instructions :)

Original background..

Used Topaz and the technique I listed about, along with some heavy cloning work.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

07/25/2010 03:22:21 PM · #16

LOL, no offence taken. I ask because it changes the person- It's different with objects with me but a person is a person, as is..

07/25/2010 03:26:10 PM · #17

Ooh Ok, I posted your picture originally, but took it off immediately because I felt like I misunderstood your words!

Well I darkened the tones a bit and created a bit bigger range between the whites and blacks to create drama and so her eyes could pop out, because I wanted her eyes to be the center of attention as it was the most powerful part of the image to me (hope that artsy-fartsy description clears it up).

But like with anything... every one will have their own opinion.

07/25/2010 03:27:30 PM · #18

Awesome Cory, you helped me a lot today! Your cloning out of objects in my picture is awesome.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

07/25/2010 03:28:11 PM · #19

Granted..:)

07/25/2010 03:39:31 PM · #20

Originally posted by drew_makeanimpact:

And by blending... is that done with the blur/smudge tool?

No sir.. Done with the eraser set to a lower opacity :)