Damien Symonds

Because the Photos program isn't colour-managed, of course. Only use Bridge to browse your photos on your computer.

There's an important question I forgot to ask earlier. Are you familiar with using the Shift key? https://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/10/shift-while-brushing.html While it's possible to apply "tricks" to some images to whiten their backgrounds, there are other images (like your first one) for which there is simply no alternative than masking on a white Solid Color layer using the shift key.

The second photo is good. The first one is NOT.

https://www.damiensymonds.net/what2buy_cal.html

I heartily understand your resistance to a subscription. I feel the same way. But no, if funds are limited, you MUST spend them on a calibrator before any software upgrades.

I'm so sorry, I don't know.

Image>Canvas Size

Oh, ok, phew! Well, go ahead and do their raw processing, and make sure you post the proper sRGB versions for me when you post them again.

You can open it in ACR, but yes, the camera raw filter will do. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe ACR would be better than the Camera Raw Filter, because then you can also batch-process them in Bridge. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/05/jpegs-in-acr.html

Oh, and while you're fixing the colour space, go ahead and do your raw processing on those two photos. Then post them again for me.

Okey dokey. Before we get to that, let's address the MUCH worse problem: https://www.damiensymonds.net/art_tscs000.html

Download PSD I copied a chunk from the right-hand side (twice) and rotated and flipped them to use top and bottom (with the help of some D&B to blend). Then a bit of cloning for the corners. I think it would work ok.

Do you mean adding some extra background at the top and bottom of the image?

The class has covered the new sliders for quite a few years, yes. As a previous member you don't need to pay full price, only the reduced renewal price. I don't know, sorry. Why are you using that rubbish? Just use Bridge. Only $10 to change your life: https://www.damiensymonds.net/bridge-class

Just to clarify, you definitely need white? Not transparent?