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| All of these tips are based on the use of Adobe Photoshop CS now CS3. I also use a Wacom tablet, which does really help to make processing photos much easier. |
Photo Tips
There are many ways to tone down a distracting background. You will probably find that no one way works well for every photo, so the
more you know the easier it can be.
Hot spots? Smootz on the background? Distractions? Make a loose SELECTION with the lasso tool in an area of the background that is
good. Put that selection on another layer so I hold down CTRL and hit J to place that selection on its own layer. Then I use the move tool
(CTRL V) to place the selection over the area that I want to cover. You can soften the selection easily by erasing some edges if needed but
I usually then merge both layers (LAYERS menu; MERGE VISIBLE) and use the patch tool to soften any edges that might show.
Duplicate the layer or technique as many times as necessary. It is that simple! Duplicate the layer or technique as many times as
necessary. It is that simple!2
more you know the easier it can be.
Hot spots? Smootz on the background? Distractions? Make a loose SELECTION with the lasso tool in an area of the background that is
good. Put that selection on another layer so I hold down CTRL and hit J to place that selection on its own layer. Then I use the move tool
(CTRL V) to place the selection over the area that I want to cover. You can soften the selection easily by erasing some edges if needed but
I usually then merge both layers (LAYERS menu; MERGE VISIBLE) and use the patch tool to soften any edges that might show.
Duplicate the layer or technique as many times as necessary. It is that simple! Duplicate the layer or technique as many times as
necessary. It is that simple!2
THEN I selected the magic wand tool checking to see that the
tolerance was at 30 and putting a check in the use all layers box. If
you are unfamiliar with the tools, these commands are across the
top of the screen.
There are 4 boxes to the left of the tolerance setting.
From left to right,
first one means NEW SELECTION;
second is ADD TO THE SELECTION (this is the one I use all the
time);
third is SUBTRACT FROM SELECTION;
Use the second to add to the selection even if you are starting off
new.
Using the magic wand tool I start selecting very near the edge of
the red tullip, only in the area of the hot spots. Zoom in close up to
be sure the edge is accurately selected. Then I go to the Select
menu, go down to INVERSE. That will then make your active
selection in the area of your hot spots and you will be able to use
the brush on the background area without intruding upon the
main subject.
I noticed that neither of these images look as clear or vibrant as
they do in the original format so it is hard to see accurately the
quality of the result. I prefer not to completely get rid of the spots
in the background. It just looks more natural to me.
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