BASIC HELP !!! - Neutral Background for Portraits

[cham_001]

Hi all,

How do I add a neutral coloured background to an image and present this as a portrait shot.

I have taken a photo that my friend likes, however on closer inspection the blurred background curtains obscure the hairline so that it is 'merged'.

The head-shot has been approved - as an absolute novice to PS3 I have no idea what to do next.

Thanks.....

[tenchy]

probably easier to offer help if we see the problem image ?

[brian smith]

Hi Mate,
Although photoshop is a great tool in the right hands and it is possible to cut out and replace backgrounds although not many look authentic in my opinion, , the best advise I can offer is to shoot the image as you want it to appear, ie shoot with the background you want in the first place, its a lot easier and saves all the hastle.

Brian.:snap2:

[Garthy]

Hi Mate,
Although photoshop is a great tool in the right hands and it is possible to cut out and replace backgrounds although not many look authentic in my opinion, , the best advise I can offer is to shoot the image as you want it to appear, ie shoot with the background you want in the first place, its a lot easier and saves all the hastle.

Brian.:snap2:

Yeah im sure a pro can PS it good for you but youll need to post it up for peopel to see it to see if they can help you.

[chaz]

I agree with Brian, shoot it again for the intended result.

[Wino]

Hi Mate,
Although photoshop is a great tool in the right hands and it is possible to cut out and replace backgrounds although not many look authentic in my opinion, , the best advise I can offer is to shoot the image as you want it to appear, ie shoot with the background you want in the first place, its a lot easier and saves all the hastle.

Brian.:snap2:

Sorry, I'm rather late in contributing. I agree with Brian. Not wishing to appear rude, but does he really have different colour eyes? No offence meant.

Chok dee. :)

Wino.

[Stevepud]

Sorry, I'm rather late in contributing. I agree with Brian. Not wishing to appear rude, but does he really have different colour eyes? No offence meant.

Chok dee. :)

Wino.

Why not, David Bowie has... and another celeb has too, but cant remember his name

[Wino]

Why not, David Bowie has... and another celeb has too, but cant remember his name

I know of one - Dan Aykroyd. I think his are naturally so, whereas Bowie's are the result of an injury to one.

Chok dee, :)

Wino

[mogawowo]

Hope you don't mind!!

[cham_001]

To all of you - a huge Thank You for the contributions. :agree:

Yep, I will have to 'bite-the-bullet' and re-shoot when I next return from Miami and Brazil.
I did try a 'cut & crop' in CS3. Inevitably, with my still limited expertise in CS3,I was unable to make the 'cut-out' look natural - the hair appeared too smoothed-over.

What proved useful and agreeable to the client was a B & W version again heavily edited in CS3. So thankfully, not a totally lost effort.

BTW: yep he also has two different eyes - 1 glass-eye and the other is Green.

[cham_001]

Hey Mogawowo,
(nope - do not mind at all!!!)

Fantastic! - 2nd is awesome and very much the 'look' that the guy was after 'atmospheric'.

A Massive THANK YOU ->> you deserve a :first: