Changing/adding the background colour

1.
First of all we need a good picture to start with. We need a shot which has a clear contrast between foreground and background.



2.
Duplicate your layer. Call it "subject" Select around the subject, as close as you can - dont worry if its not perfect at this point.

Dont hit delete yet. We need to tidy up the edges.
Got to:
- Select
- Modify
- Expand - in the box type a value between 2-4

Now do the same again, but this time choose, feather instead of expand - in the value box type 2



Now press delete. Now you should have a subject shot with no background. (You will notice i have deleted some of the subject - we will get that back later)



3.
Now we need to make the new background. On the layers pallett , select create new layer (located next to the bin logo) and call this "New background". position it between your background layer and subject layer. Fill it with any colour - it doesnt matter at this point.



4.
In the layers pallett again, change your blend mode to difference - this helps to stop the image from having that "stuck on" look. Your background colour will change but we can change that.



5.
Back to the top menu select image>adjustments>hue/saturation - slide the hue bar to get your desired colour.



6.
To get our missing part of the leg back - delete the "new background" layer in that area to reveal the original image underneath. Select all your layers and merge/flatten image.

7.
You will notice that we have some purple in the shadow there. To get rid of it select that area, and create a new layer, change the blend mode to colour. Now sample your background colour and paint over it. Flatten the image again.



8.
For the vignetting effect, got to filter>distort>lenscorrection. In here you will see the option for vignetting. Slide the bar left to your desired place and exit.



9.
And hey presto - Job done!

Phew! This will take some concentration.

Thanks for this will bw giving it a whirl.

You may find that you make a better teacher than making pies

Very detailed and helpful tutorial !

Thank you Kanikula

Oh i leave the pie making to my hubby and staff!!

Thankyou both - Go nuts!!

Thanks Will need to try that sometime

how do you select around the subject?

The magic wand should work Jols

Another excellent Tut K!

the layers palette is not there.
can i retreive it from somwhere.

sorry to be a pain

Along the top menu bar go to window and select layers