Getting background out of way

[Third Time Lucky]

So I am using the magic extractor tool to cut people from backgrounds with a
little success.
problem I am having is with peoples hair and tryong to keep the hair intact
BUT remove the bits of background from inbetween the hair.

Any tips on how to do this please?



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ***@netfront.net ---

[Leo Lichtman]

Post by Third Time Lucky
So I am using the magic extractor tool to cut people from backgrounds with
a little success.
problem I am having is with peoples hair and tryong to keep the hair
intact BUT remove the bits of background from inbetween the hair.
Any tips on how to do this please?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is just about the most difficult problem in Photoshop (Elements.)
There are various plug-ins that do this with varying success and
considerable difficulty. I have my own method which works well for me,
although it can sometimes be a little time consuming.

1.) Create a new layer.
2.) Use one of the cloning shapes a.) 112 or 134 (this is Elements 4),
which are blades of grass. Click on an appropriate part of the person's
hair, and clone it onto the new layer.
3. Now, move it to a place on the edge of the person's original hair, so it
partially covers the hair, and also blocks the background detail between the
hair. Stretch it, twist it, distort it until it blends in. Use the eraser
at about 30% to eliminate obvious transitions.
4.) Do this as many times as necessary to make the hair and the background
look naturally blended.

With some practice, you will get faster, and will be able to produce results
that look just about perfect.