cathm

I had a hard time working the background around the cat.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9apn2u5coretkmn/Damien.psd?dl=0

Hi Damien. I tried to do your way but was afraid of the banding. Plus I wanted to make the background whiter... Could you please see if I did retouch this image okay by looking at my PSD file? thank you!

Ok, so 1) create a new gradient new layer and 2) mask out the father using brush in the same layer?

Oh wait...i should also mask the entire background other than the father?

Is the best way to remove the father the same way that I did in above? 1) Using brush tool with shift + click and to eliminate the father and 2) add the white background with gradient layer?

Thanks Damien! I requested my lab to remake... This time, I added the noise to the background by doing this => Filter - noise, - add noise - Amount 1% Uniform. I will see how it turns out..... Thank you for your help! I actually had the same issue with the same lab (Bay Photo) last time... Maybe I should try different lab? any recommendation for the lab? Cathy

I will send you the file. I did the sharpening at the very end after flattening and cropping.

I wonder if it has to do with the sharpening... I sharpen at the end

I added the noise as I stated.

Hi Damien! I just received my print of this image from the photo lab. Unfortunately, I see some vertical lines on the background where I retouched. I did follow your instruction and added the noise before sending my files. To compare the prints vs. monitor, I adjusted the level and made it brighter to see if see any vertical lines, however, I didn't. It looked perfectly fine on the monitor, however, not on the prints.. Any idea how this happened and how I can fix this problem? Please let me know, thanks! Cathy

Thanks, Damien. I am still confused about this part -> For the gradient editor (the little window that pops up), do you click the color stop (lower left square icon and select the background area near baby's feet as that is the darkest area and then click lowerright square icon, color stop, and choose the color near by the hair since it's lighter? I have no idea how you select the colors and whether the left is always darker? Also, do you adjust the level layers first or after you select the gradient colors?

Also, instead of having a vignette looking background, I just want the horizontal gradient background (left being dark and lighter towards the right) I am assuming that you change the angel to 180. I hope you can explain to me about how you select the background color so that the area around hair blends in well.

Hi Damien, I know you are trying to help me but I still haven't figured out how to do this ....=( I also checked this link but i am still confused of how you selected the gradient colors... http://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/10/using-photoshops-gradient-layer.html After you add a gradient fill layer, you mask the background. and then you created two layers below and mask the area where you want to select for the gradient colors. Now, this is where I have no idea how it works... For the gradient editor (the little window that pops up), do you click the color stop (lower left square icon and select the background area near baby's feet as that is the darkest area and then click lowerright square icon, color stop, and choose the color near by the hair since it's lighter? After this, you adjust the levels in the two layers below to match the color to the new background? am I on the right track? Thank you for your time and for your help! I hope you can explain to me in more details...

Great to know about the how you select the background! 1) May I ask how you normally set your brush (size and hardness) for this kind of work? 2) Also, do you always use radial when replacing the background? Thanks, Damien!

I just downloaded the files and checked.. I am afraid that the banding will show on the prints. I think I rather have the solid background than vignette looking background... How would you do this? By increasing the scale to around 400%?

THANK YOU Damien for your help!!! So you used the brush + shift key and not Quick selection or magic wand tool? Do you happen to have the video of how you changed the background? I am not 100% sure how gradient thing works to change the background layer... Again, thank you!!

yes, darker grey background =)

Hi damien! I would like to replace them with darker black background.

Hi! I am trying to replace the background of this image. Q1) I am wondering what is the best way to do this when selecting the background only. Do you use Quick selection or magic wand tool? If Magic Want Tool, what is the tolerance? Do I check Anti-alias and Continuous? After you select the background, do I click Refine Edge? I have a hard time doing this kind of method for the hair. Q2) I read this. http://www.damiensymonds.net/preventing-banding-in-backdrops/ and am wondering if I use linear or radial in this case, also, what do i choose for angel and scale? Q2) Also, how would you retouch the diaper? Thank you for your help in advance! Cathy

Many thanks for your help!! I really appreciate it!!

Hi This baby was born with Mongolian birthmark on her right hand. The mom requested me to photoshop so that the color of her left hand will match with her right hand. What is the best way to retouch this? Thank you for your help in advance!