Creating a Background

[SarahLandry]

I would like to create a plain black backdrop for this photo. I have some digital backdrops that I am using on some of these and those look great, but I want some of them to just have a plain black backdrop. Not sure where to begin. Just using a color layer looks awful. 

[Damien Symonds]

You're kidding me.  You cut them out???  How many times have I said not to do that?????

*sigh*  Show me the SOOR.

[SarahLandry]

Shot on Chroma Key paper and cut out with EZ Green Screen 5. I had no idea you've said not to do that. I don't recall it ever being mentioned in any of the classes I have taken. 

I used LR and then photoshop to run the filter to cut them out (I then had to add to the mask by hand, because with there being two of them, the didn't fit on my backdrop very well.)

[Damien Symonds]

https://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/09/extract-then-copy-vs-copy-then-extract.html

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

[Damien Symonds]

On the subject of your actual question, generally it looks a bit bad if you just put plain black behind people (as you've found out).  It seems to be better if you make it a dark grey to black gradient.

Hold on, I'll see if I can find examples.

[Damien Symonds]

Bingo, here's the most recent one I discussed: https://ask.damiensymonds.net/topic/14792-adjsut-background/

[Damien Symonds]

[SarahLandry]

Thank you! I will read through these and give it a try. 

[Damien Symonds]

Please note how my method kept all their hair.  No haircut necessary.

I can show you the PSD if you wish.

[Damien Symonds]

@SarahLandry?

[SarahLandry]

I haven't had a chance to do anything with this yet, as we have had family here for the week. I would love to see the PSD please. 

[Damien Symonds]

Download PSD

It's biggish, sorry.

[Damien Symonds]

How did you go?