How to improve the distracting background

[Awiserbud]

If you have photoshop you could use layer to blur the background even more to seperate it from the subject, this might work.

I do have photoshop cs5
did you just blur everything? make a mask and erase the portrait part on the new layer?

yes thats exactly what i did, copy the layer, gaussian blur the lower layer, and then mask out the subjects.

 

[Buckster]

I took this portrait on New Year's Day, it was just a snap shot, but she wants to have it printed,
I am not satisfied with the background, although I find the bokeh quite interesting at the top of the photo.

Any suggestions, I am not sure what to do?


130101_6791 On New Years Day by MiFleur, Back to normal, on Flickr

The largest size on Flickr is still the same small size posted here (we're looking for the original, large size that comes right out of the camera), but I'll give it a go:

 

[Robin_Usagani]

I would just leave it the way it is.

 

[Tee]

I would just leave it the way it is.

I was thinking the same thing although Buckster's rendition is nice. If you start blurring and fiddle-faddling around you're gonna lose out on the bokeh of the lights.

 

[MiFleur]

I just don't want to cut and paste clips

I understand very well, I am sorry I was not prepared!

 

[CA_]

just an idea.

 

[MiFleur]

I took this portrait on New Year's Day, it was just a snap shot, but she wants to have it printed,
I am not satisfied with the background, although I find the bokeh quite interesting at the top of the photo.

Any suggestions, I am not sure what to do?


130101_6791 On New Years Day by MiFleur, Back to normal, on Flickr

The largest size on Flickr is still the same small size posted here (we're looking for the original, large size that comes right out of the camera), but I'll give it a go:

I really like what you did here, the dark background really help!

 

[SamiJoSchwirtz]

The largest size on Flickr is still the same small size posted here (we're looking for the original, large size that comes right out of the camera), but I'll give it a go:

Love your edit buckster!!!

 

[Buckster]

I really like what you did here, the dark background really help!

Love your edit buckster!!!

Thank you kindly folks.

 

[JFC]

@Buckster : Ur edit rocks, lov it.