2 Replies Latest reply: Feb 8, 2013 3:03 PM by Curt Y RSS

    Background Erasing

    Heirloom Bob Community Member

      I have a shot with an item on a white background. I have selected the white background and used the background eraser to remove the white. Is there a tip to determine that I have it all erased? Many times I complete the erasing only to find several areas I have not fully erased. The cherkboard background makes it too hard to the areas I might have missed. Is there a better way?

       

      Bob

        • 1. Re: Background Erasing
          JJMack Community Member

          You would get much better results not using the background erase tool for you will most likely erase too much. Erasing is very destructive.  Learn to mask instead. White backgrounds and gray backgrounds are also very easy to do. Try this. Use the quick selection tool to select the subject. Once selected use menu Select>Save Selection and save a new alpha channel named subject. Next deselect and drag in or paste in or place in a new image you want as a new background. This will cover the original image.  Now set that layers blending mode to multiply if the original background is white or to overlay if the original background is gray.  You should now see the original image trying to show through only the subject is having a bit of a hard time.  Now use menu Select>Load Selection use the pull down menu to choose the subject alpha channel and check INVERT then click OK. In the bottom of the Layers Palette click on the add layer mask icon.  This will add a layer mask to help the subject show throw and be the current Photoshop target use Ctrl+L and play with the gray slider to adjust.

           

           

          Look at some of the masking tutorials on the web and learn abour refining the selection.

          • 2. Re: Background Erasing
            Curt Y Community Member

            Might want to view this excellent video on masking and changing background.  http://tv.adobe.com/watch/the-russell-brown-show/masking-basics-in-photoshop-cs5/