Damien Symonds

https://www.damiensymonds.net/art_tscs2.html

The other thread you linked was very specific, because that poster actually needed the subjects extracted. But that's very rare. Most people only need to change the background colour, or swap another background in. So, tell me about your circumstances. What's your end goal with these photos?

@FlawlessFacesAndPhotos?

This is relevant too: https://www.damiensymonds.net/2015/07/blue-or-green-screen-for-background.html

It looks fantastic, well done.

So, if you're going to be doing this a lot, you need to make sure you get the background as bright as possible in camera. It doesn't have to be pure white, but the closer the better.

Actually, I think it looks ok: Download the PSD It uses this method: https://www.damiensymonds.net/sky-replacement-method.html Notes: You'll see I added an extra white "Solid Color" layer, because while the Levels layer does a good job at the tree line, it left some darker areas of sky at the top Notice that I blurred the sky. This is SO important. One of the most common novice mistakes is putting an in-focus sky behind an out-of-focus horizon. Also notice that I lowered the opacity of the sky layer. It looked too implausible if left darker.

Absolutely.

https://www.damiensymonds.net/replace-background-hair

May I see it? Be very very careful. The complete absence of any distinct shadows in this photo makes it VERY obvious that it was taken under a heavily overcast sky. Any attempt to add a happy sunny sky will look instantly implausible. Of course there are some benefits, but none of them relate to this particular editing issue. Don't upgrade because of this.

Hi @Trudy, may I see the original photo?

I'm so sorry, I don't understand. Why can't you use the marquee tool?

She can have it sized exactly as a FB cover pic, and suitable for nothing else, for a small fee. Or she can have the whole file for ... https://i.imgur.com/NDBB96K.png

Yes, isn't that what you meant? If I buy a photo from iStock I expect it to be full resolution. And I would expect to be able to print it. AND I would pay for it appropriately.

Every pixel you captured.

Excellent! Then yes, crop it to exactly 851x315 pixels, and sharpen for web. That will be much too small to print, so you'll be quite safe. NFI, sorry.

Oh, good question! Do you know the exact purpose they'll be using it for? I mean, will they be adding text and making into an advertisement? Or will it be their cover photo? The more we know, the safer we can be.

Download PSD The first two layers (the Levels ones) are kinda like dodge and burn layers, but I've used Levels because it's a bit safer for the hair. The top three layers are from this method. You can make the Levels layers first, but don't actually do anything with them until after you've done the gradient layers. I hope you like it.

If you can't get your files back, I reckon you can legitimately demand a refund of every cent you've ever paid them.

Bummer. Then you really are screwed That's exactly what you need to ask them. If you can't get your PSDs back off a cloud when you need them, what the heck is the point of the cloud? Have you talked to them yet? It shouldn't matter a bit, no. You should be able to access your cloud files from anywhere.

Next question, what size are the files?

https://www.damiensymonds.net/scanning-guidelines-for-old-photo-restoration.html

No, XMP files aren't photos, they're just the data files. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/02/what-is-xmp-data-all-about.html If they truly are XMP files, then you're screwed, I'm afraid. But let's check to be sure. First, do you have filename extensions turned on? https://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/02/view-your-filename-extensions-windows.html

Download PSD

Mask it to the whole photo (except the people) using the brush tool first. Once that is perfect, then do the gradients top and bottom. For heaven's sake make sure your gradient tool is set to "Foreground to Transparent" in the options bar, not "Foreground to background".