changing colour behind hair

[JoC]

Hi Damien,

I'm trying to change this patch of blue behind the child's hair in this photo to match the rest of the background nearby. Trying unsuccessfully ?. How would you go about this? 

Thanks ?

    

[Damien Symonds]

Tricky one!

May I see the two original photos?

[JoC]

Original meaning the camera image, or with raw edits done? 

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, sorry, with the raw edits done.

[JoC]

Silly question, here's the SOOR pics. 

     

 

My question, not yours ?

 

[Damien Symonds]

No, not a silly question at all!  It was silly of me not to clarify.  Thanks for asking.

[Damien Symonds]

I'm just playing with it to see what's possible ...

[JoC]

Thanks, no rush. 

 

[Damien Symonds]

Ok, it's not easy!

Download PSD

The "Layer 1" is the equivalent of your new foliage layer.

[JoC]

Cool...I was playing with channel mixer and levels but couldn't get there. The Layer 1 you mention - did you bring over a piece of foliage from the original photo? 

[Damien Symonds]

Yeah.

[JoC]

I did it! It's not perfect but good enough, I think. Thanks for the psd. 

Can you share your reasoning behind doing the channel mixer layer and making the channel 100% red? Would love to know your thought process there. 

[Damien Symonds]

That was the channel with the most contrast against the hair.

Your edit looks great, well done.  Nobody will give that area a second glance.

[JoC]

Ah ok. I looked at the different channels when I was trying to fix it on my own but I was on the wrong track comparing the blue to the background, not the hair.  Thanks for the help!