Author Topic: Tools for removing backgroud (Read 3108 times)

melastmohican · « **on:** April 29, 2008, 21:43 »

Do I need to own professional version of Photoshop to make it?

DanP68 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2008, 23:49 »

It depends on the image. If you are just trying to turn an off-white background to true white, you can probably get the job done with everything from levels, to selective color adjustments, to the Dodge tool.

If you are trying to isolate a subject from a complex background, I have to say the only way to do this is with the Pen tool. I know this is in CS2, I have no idea about Elements. It can be very time consuming if the subject does not have nice, straight edges.

Zoom in 200% to 300%, and just start drawing around the object with the pen tool. It can be tedious, and it takes some getting used to. I'm not very good at it frankly, and iStock usually laughs off my attempts.

snurder · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2008, 01:04 »

Although Elements is good, alas it does not have the Pen tool. It seems as though the pen tool and cmyk conversion are unique to the pro version.

You can do some "layer masking" in Elements 5 if you can figure out how to set up a clipping mask there. I think this may have been improved in Ele 6 - not sure. But the best thing really is the pen tool.

Smithore · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2008, 08:14 »

But don't forget: the pen tool come to be a pain tool when you submit to istock, many rejections for "to smooth or to rough isolation".

Roadrunner · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2008, 14:33 »

iStock seems to see things I can not locate, and you folks have made me feel better. On any other site, I have 80% of my isolations accepted. iStock always says - "A few stray pixels", "A few artefacts", "Too much feathering" (Actually I selecte Feather - 1 Pixel for that one), and of course the too smooth or too rough bounces.

I seem to get the selection done quickly in PS Elements 6 by using the Magicg Selection tool, and finish it off in 200% view using the Selection Brush with a hard edge. Works for me. But even at 200% on a 24 inch monitor (Calibrated), I cannot see what those reviewers pick up.

I thought about just sending straight photo images to iStock. That would save me from getting killed with rejections. Even when I do that they kill me!

epantha · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2008, 15:04 »

I'm masochistic and currently have 5 isolations in a row lined up for review at Istock. I was thinking since I've worked with the pen tool and clipping paths in Photoshop for years, there wouldn't be a problem getting isolations accepted. Ummm, no. Managed to get one through of a wood goblet a few weeks ago because they let me resubmit it a few times until I got it right. Another one I've resubmitted 2 times is hawk feather on a white background. Not sure why I thought that was a good idea to try but it certainly has been a challenge and a learning experience!

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Author Topic: Tools for removing backgroud (Read 3108 times)

melastmohican

DanP68

snurder

Smithore

Roadrunner

epantha

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