Frizzy hair on plain BG

[meris]

This client had frizzy hair. Since it's on a plain BG, what is a good way to clean this up?

This side is the worst, I don't know what the top part was supposed to be like.

Edited February 19, 2016 by meris

[Damien Symonds]

I'll need to see the whole photo, because I need to see more of the background.

Paint out her face if you wish.

[meris]

face painted because running for of fice

I was thinking it needs to be cut out, because heal will just give soft edges on the ends

[Damien Symonds]

Are you happy with the background?  You don't wish to change it?

[meris]

I don't especially need to change it. But I probably want to replace with a false gradient blue to white.

[Damien Symonds]

Then I really will need to see the whole photo, not cropped.  Background replacement would have to be done before hair trimming, I think.

[meris]

The full crop. That's to say, I'll likely crop in a little and straighten before delivering.

 

[Damien Symonds]

Thanks.  And tell me about this blue-to-white gradient you're envisioning. Where would the blue and white be?

[meris]

It would be white, and a blue radial gradient out from behind her. Similar to now except white where grey is.

[meris]

Also the bit on her forehead. I wanted to fill the bit in above her left eye. I tried cloning and healing a few ways but couldn't get it to look real. The edges mainly. Is it something that can be done?

[Damien Symonds]

7 hours ago, meris said:

The full crop. That's to say, I'll likely crop in a little and straighten before delivering.

Your profile says you have a D800.  Surely that's a 2:3 frame camera?

1 hour ago, meris said:

Also the bit on her forehead. I wanted to fill the bit in above her left eye. I tried cloning and healing a few ways but couldn't get it to look real. The edges mainly. Is it something that can be done?

Just to clarify, do you want to take away hair, or add more in?

[Damien Symonds]

2 hours ago, meris said:

It would be white, and a blue radial gradient out from behind her. Similar to now except white where grey is.

Something like this?

[meris]

Hmm, somehow not how I pictured in my mind. How about keep it blue to dark like this then. Client didn't really have a preference.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/481231649128980480/9hpv14pc.jpeg

Btw, I change to 4:5 ratio in camera for headshots.

Edited February 20, 2016 by meris

[Damien Symonds]

11 hours ago, meris said:

Btw, I change to 4:5 ratio in camera for headshots.

I wasn't aware that applied to raw files?

[Damien Symonds]

Like this?

[meris]

Yes perfect.

 

Yes D800 4:5,1.2x,dx all affect raw

[Damien Symonds]

Download the PSD file

Basically, I first added the gradient layer and made it the colours you'd shown me, and masked it but only very roughly, and not too close to the subject.

I duplicated that layer, and changed the bottom one to Overlay mode, then made its mask completely white, then modified the gradient colours to make it match the top layer as closely as possible.  This part was hard, I went back and forth quite a lot.

Then I more carefully masked both layers.

After this, it's up to you.  On the top layer, you zoom way in and use a tiny brush, to mask out the hairs you don't want.

I did a small section to show you:

[meris]

Thanks. Any tips how to deal with the bit on her forehead? I don't even know whether to fill it or clear it of the bits of hair.

[Damien Symonds]

It will look weird to fill it in with more hair, but it will be insanely difficult to remove it.  I'm not sure what to tell you.

If you remove it, I think you'd need to find another photo of clear forehead to mask in there.

[meris]

1) I understand the 1st layer, but not the 2nd Overlay mode. Why not just 1 layer and mask?

2) In future, should I always shoot on pure white, then add layers later?

[Damien Symonds]

9 minutes ago, meris said:

1) I understand the 1st layer, but not the 2nd Overlay mode. Why not just 1 layer and mask?

Yes, of course you could just do one layer and mask.  But if you do it that way, you have to mask every.single.strand.of.hair.on.her.head. And that would drive anyone to insanity.  This way, you only have to mask the hairs you don't want.

10 minutes ago, meris said:

2) In future, should I always shoot on pure white, then add layers later?

Have you read this?

You actually did the right thing here.  If you'd remembered to bring a comb, this would have been dead easy.