Replace background with white

[AlyssaAlbers]

I've used a quick selection tool to do most of it then going back in with my brush for detail. Anything faster? ?

[Damien Symonds]

Gee, don't start removing a background until the raw editing is done.

[AlyssaAlbers]

I thought I was done. See you in RAW.

[AlyssaAlbers]

I'm baaaaack. Let's get rid of this terrible background so I can do something fun with it!

 

[Damien Symonds]

Right.  That's what we need to discuss next.  What "fun" things you do you want to do with the background?

[Damien Symonds]

I'm asking because it might be possible to go directly from "current background" to "fun" without the hassle of a white step.

[AlyssaAlbers]

I have a digital snowflake paper I want to put behind them.

[Damien Symonds]

May I see it?

[AlyssaAlbers]

[Damien Symonds]

I beg you to re-think this white background idea.  The elderly lady's hair will be hard to extract, and won't look good even when you do - it'll look oddly dull and extra grey against white.

I urge you to stick with (and extend) the natural background, then play with blend modes for the pattern.

Here are a few simple examples, but you can make the snowflakes any colour you wish.

[AlyssaAlbers]

I see what you're saying and agree. What if I make the background blue or some other color other than the yellow?

[Damien Symonds]

No, the same problem.

If you don't like all the yellow, it will be easier to change the couch colour to blue, than the wall.

If you really must change the wall colour, go for it.  But I don't have any "tricks, it will just involve a heck of a lot of VERY careful masking around the strands of hair.

[AlyssaAlbers]

Got it. I'll post what I come up with. Thank you!