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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> How to change background
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Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
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 11/18/2010 10:12:16 AM · #1
[img][img]ID 920668

How do I change the background in this picture and make it look natural?

Thanks!

I can't get the picture uploaded.Help!

Message edited by author 2010-11-18 20:12:22.
 11/18/2010 10:14:42 AM · #2

Helped.
 11/18/2010 10:15:08 AM · #3
Thank you!!!!!!!
 11/18/2010 12:37:07 PM · #4
More important, teach me please, how did you do it?
 11/18/2010 12:41:47 PM · #5
what kind of background are you looking for?
 11/18/2010 12:46:55 PM · #6
Originally posted by docpjv:
More important, teach me please, how did you do it?

The basic idea is that you create a mask for the BG and paste the new picture into that selection. I Photoshop you do this by creating a new Channel (not Layer) and "painting" on it using any of the paint tools. The new channel acts just like a grayscale image.

You usually want a soft-edged selection. Using a tablet/stylus will help with painting around fine details (like hair). It takes time and patience.

There are 3rd-party apps/plug-ins which can do most of the masking for you if you intend to do this frequently.

Check out these tutorials on creating layer masks -- they originally apply to creating a mask to use with an adjustment layer, but once you have created the mask you can also use it as a selection into which you can paste a new image.
Making Layer Masks Permanent
Layer Masks

Message edited by author 2010-11-18 12:53:15.
 11/18/2010 01:44:52 PM · #7


One of the quickest ways to change a background or at least mask distracting features is to apply a texture. This one would be especially hard to change backgrounds using layers because of the hair. But a texture eliminates the problem. by hiding distracting elements and emphasizing the things you like.

If you want to know how to do this there is a great tutorial by roz

This texture I downloaded from flicker.
 11/18/2010 02:07:17 PM · #8
Maybe I should be ashamed of sharing this, but here goes.

Layers is one up on me. I have about 40 to 60 photography books, of those at least 4 are specifically on layers. Somehow, in my brain however, I am missing something. Albeit something small, sort of a missing link, but I still do not/can not understand how to use a layer.

I will read the given tutorials, maybe they will provide that missing link, sigh.

Thanks general and others that responded and hopefully will respond.

What am I missing!!!!!!
 11/18/2010 02:20:22 PM · #9
Originally posted by docpjv:
Maybe I should be ashamed of sharing this, but here goes.

Layers is one up on me. I have about 40 to 60 photography books, of those at least 4 are specifically on layers. Somehow, in my brain however, I am missing something. Albeit something small, sort of a missing link, but I still do not/can not understand how to use a layer.

I will read the given tutorials, maybe they will provide that missing link, sigh.

Thanks general and others that responded and hopefully will respond.

What am I missing!!!!!!


maybe this will help

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EooYoYYTQ
 11/18/2010 02:22:41 PM · #10
Originally posted by docpjv:
Maybe I should be ashamed of sharing this, but here goes.

Layers is one up on me. I have about 40 to 60 photography books, of those at least 4 are specifically on layers. Somehow, in my brain however, I am missing something. Albeit something small, sort of a missing link, but I still do not/can not understand how to use a layer.

I will read the given tutorials, maybe they will provide that missing link, sigh.

Thanks general and others that responded and hopefully will respond.

What am I missing!!!!!!


I had Photoshop for years before I discovered layers. I would highly recommend learning about them in anyway you can find. They really open up a whole new world of editing. I really couldn't recommend any specific tutorial on it. Mostly I have just learned by googling tutorials on specific techniques, and learning a little here and a little there.

Layers, in a nutshell, is making a copy of your picture or using another picture such as a texture and layering it over the top of the original. Then you can erase or mask over parts you don't want to show revealing the picture underneath. There are lots of cool effects you can apply to each layer as well.

I think a good first step in learning about layers is to trying to add textures to your photos this is how I started. Then after awhile things clicked and I thought hey I can use this for other things too.

Here is that tutorial by roz I was talking about Texture tutorial
 11/18/2010 03:15:13 PM · #11
Thank you, I have decided I must master it, it is not called the most powerful tool of Photoshop for nothing.
 11/18/2010 03:47:56 PM · #12
Originally posted by docpjv:
Thank you, I have decided I must master it, it is not called the most powerful tool of Photoshop for nothing.


cs5 has fantastic automatic selection capabilities. I generally copy the background layer and use the lasso tool to select an area and then refine the edge to remove what i don't want.
 11/18/2010 04:05:57 PM · #13
Originally posted by docpjv:
... but I still do not/can not understand how to use a layer.

I will read the given tutorials, maybe they will provide that missing link, sigh.

Layers contain pixels or adjustment (e.g. Curves, Levels, etc.) settings

Channels contain color data (RGB) and selections ("alpha channels")
 11/18/2010 08:11:03 PM · #14
Originally posted by docpjv:
Maybe I should be ashamed of sharing this, but here goes.

Layers is one up on me. I have about 40 to 60 photography books, of those at least 4 are specifically on layers. Somehow, in my brain however, I am missing something. Albeit something small, sort of a missing link, but I still do not/can not understand how to use a layer.

I will read the given tutorials, maybe they will provide that missing link, sigh.

Thanks general and others that responded and hopefully will respond.

What am I missing!!!!!!


This is EXACTLY my problem too, I get so frustrated I CAN'T SEE STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!
Hopefully the suggestions here will save the day!!!!!!!!!
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