Changing white backdrop to another photograph?

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone knows of an easy way around this? It's not something I actually need to do, but at the same time, I'd imagine it's easy (when you know how) and I'd like to figure it out to try it out sometime.

Pretty much, I'm looking to find out, if I shoot someone on a plain white (blown out) backdrop, but I want the background of the photo to be, say, a forest, is there a quick and easy way to remove the white backdrop from the portrait image to drop the person into the backdrop?


Quick select tool, I presumed, would be obvious, but it's a bit choppy around the edges and it doesn't really help with more intricate areas (hair, for example).

I know this kinda thing would be difficult with a grey or blue background, but I assumed there might be a simple way, or perhaps a photoshop action, to remove all the blown highlights (ie; the background) in a single go?


Anyone know of anything?

Cheers

pixbyjohn

There are lots of Photoshop tutorials on Youtube for this particular task.

cnocbui

Play with the select colour range option, using the + feature to add shades of white and the fuzziness slider to get to where all the white is selected. Then select inverse, copy and paste.

Borderfox

Chromakey background is the easiest way to do this

FirstinLastout

Somewhat related to this, and apols if I'm hijacking the thread, but I have similar requirements to the OP.

Don't have PS and can't justify the expense of purchase; can anyone recommend a similar free software package based on their experience?
I know there are a few available but wondered if there is any first hand experience?

Thanks Guys

Ballyman

GIMP is free and supposed to be excellent. Works similarly to PS by all accounts.

bullpost

Lots of tutorials and plugins available as well. Only downside for me is its 8 bit.

Ballyman wrote: »

GIMP is free and supposed to be excellent. Works similarly to PS by all accounts.

FirstinLastout

Was thinking of the GIMP alright:eek:

Sure I'll give him a lash and see how we get on.

Thanks!!

BlastedGlute

Green screen/chroma is your friend here. Color selection on white will remove highlights on the subject

The Snipe

Greenscreen or Chroma Key is whats mainly used for this kinda stuff.