Kirsty Grandparents 3130

[fotographer.nz]

So to get started on my levels work would you have any suggestions for the background?  For some reason the baby screamed as soon as she was taken into the studio but I didn't want them to miss out on a grandparent shot so I took a shot in the lounge but as you can see the background leaves a lot to be desired.   Would you pick an in between hue of the two wall colours and do a fill layer with a bit of texture or could you suggest any other options?

[Damien Symonds]

I've moved this thread into AD, since it's not a class question.

I can help you do anything you like with the background.  You just tell me what you want.

[fotographer.nz]

Awesome thanks, hmm I was just thinking that the best option would be to make it look like a solid wall behind them, I guess I could get creative and add a texture to look like wallpaper but just a solid realistic wall behind them would be a good start.

[Damien Symonds]

Yep, I reckon so too.  Which of the two colours do you prefer?

[fotographer.nz]

I'm leaning towards some tone of the beige to provide a little more contrast, 

[Damien Symonds]

Like this?

[fotographer.nz]

Yep mean, thank you.  I was experimenting with tones from the sofa too but that was defintely too samey samey.  Those flyaways were giving me some grief too.  Would love to see the PSD if you fancy sharing  

[Damien Symonds]

It's done using this method.

[Damien Symonds]

Download PSD

[fotographer.nz]

That's a handy little trick isn't it, nice, thanks   I have only done that first step after following that article, I didn't see your PSD there so I'll have a look now and then finish it off.  I ended up masking the white wall area and then inverted it.  To me it looks like there's still a little grey around those flyaways although I refined the mask - what do you think?

 

Edited October 7, 2017 by fotographer.nz

[fotographer.nz]

Ok your process was a bit different.  Did you actually clone anything in that first clone layer?  It only seems to disappear with your colour fill.

When I was experimenting with the colour fill I was using a gradient, do you think that might make the wall a little more realistic or not worth it?

[fotographer.nz]

Did you click between the flyaways on your levels layer to get a better masking job with the paint behind them?

 

Edited October 7, 2017 by fotographer.nz

[fotographer.nz]

Ok I think I get it, don't worry about making out those flyaways right? the darker colour on them wont matter?  I like that!

 

Edited October 7, 2017 by fotographer.nz

[fotographer.nz]

[Damien Symonds]

1 hour ago, fotographer.nz said:

Ok your process was a bit different.  Did you actually clone anything in that first clone layer?  It only seems to disappear with your colour fill.

What?  Can't you see what it does when you turn it off and on?

1 hour ago, fotographer.nz said:

When I was experimenting with the colour fill I was using a gradient, do you think that might make the wall a little more realistic or not worth it?

A gradient is a good idea, but darned hard to match up.

[fotographer.nz]

oh yeah I spotted it in the end sorry, the bit on the wall.  I'm following your psd for about the 10th time which is a great help thanks but I cant get it as good as yours, just that bit between their heads is driving me spastic! 

[fotographer.nz]

I like your colour better but I just couldn't get there, been looking at it too long now.   Anyways it's an improvement to the original messy background, I added some noise on my fill layer but then saw the problem of the initial patch up.  I added some noise to the patch too but I would have the same problem between those layers if I wanted to add a wallpaper-like pattern so I called it a day.  Anyway to avoid that?  To have the whole background editable as one layer?  Could I merge the patch and the fill?

[Damien Symonds]

I'm not aware of any way to do it all as on layer, sorry.

[fotographer.nz]

no worries