I need a faster way! PP in photoshop CS5 (Pin up)

[SabrinaO]

Sorry I keep posting pinups but Im doing a pin up calendar and I want these to be perfect. Well I shot her on a white background because I wanted to add different colors to the background and here is my sloppy attempt! If anyone knows a faster way to do this, id appreciate the tips! What I did was add a green radial gradient mask and then erased more off her legs and head. I don't want to have to keep masking and adding around her edges... its just too time consuming especially when there are alot of pics. I don't want any white halos either but its difficult. Im having trouble around her heels and head as you can see. I know there is a faster way to mask off edges to seperate the subject from the background but I have CS5 and it doesn't have the extract filter. I searched all over the internet and I cant find any other information on how to do this.

 

[Derrel]

Knockout2.

procreate KnockOut 2 Review

 

[tirediron]

WHY are you doing this in post????????? Head down to your local camera store (or order on-line) gels in the colour(s) you want and do the shoot with them on your lights. MUCH easier. If you do insist on doing this in post, than use layers, have a layer consisting only of the subject, and apply the gradient to the background layer. Merge the two, done.

 

[tirediron]

Knockout2.

procreate KnockOut 2 Review

Enabler!!!!

 

[SabrinaO]

Knockout2.

procreate KnockOut 2 Review

Thanks Derrel. I'm looking into this.

 

[SabrinaO]

WHY are you doing this in post????????? Head down to your local camera store (or order on-line) gels in the colour(s) you want and do the shoot with them on your lights. MUCH easier. If you do insist on doing this in post, than use layers, have a layer consisting only of the subject, and apply the gradient to the background layer. Merge the two, done.

I don't think gels would give the same look. I want a more pastel look to the backgrounds and I think gels would look more... neon or darker. I don't know how to explain it. But im getting a hotshoe attachment soon for my speedlight so ill play around with gels soon.

Anyways when you said have a layer consisting of the subject only... THAT is want I want to do. I'm just trying to find a fast/easy way to do this.

 

[SabrinaO]

Knockout2.

procreate KnockOut 2 Review

Enabler!!!!

??

 

[tirediron]

Anyways when you said have a layer consisting of the subject only... THAT is want I want to do. I'm just trying to find a fast/easy way to do this.

CS has outstanding selection tools; using a combination of the magnetic lassoo tool, and the magic wand in conjunction with the marquee shapes you should be able to pull her off of the background in 1-2 minutes at most. As for gels not working, sure they will. Stack them, layer them...

 

[tirediron]

Knockout2.

procreate KnockOut 2 Review

Enabler!!!!

??

I'm an advocate of getting the shot right in the camera; you've probably noticed that suggestions I make normally lean in that direction as opposed to using software after the face. Just making a smart-a$$ comment is all.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

This is why post production is so expensive. It's time consuming. What you're doing, with the edges of the hair and outfit are not easy. I agree with tirediron, gels would have made much more sense, you can get many MANY different shades of whatever color you want, and if you want it more pastel, just up the power on them.

 

[gsgary]

Enabler!!!!

??

I'm an advocate of getting the shot right in the camera; you've probably noticed that suggestions I make normally lean in that direction as opposed to using software after the face. Just making a smart-a$$ comment is all.

I'm with you, get it in camera and save messing in photoshop

 

[Robin Usagani]

Buy a topaz bundle. Use topaz remask.

 

[PhotoWrangler]

Why wouldn't you just spend the $35 for a roll of seamless paper to do these shoots. It make it a whole lot easier, and looks a whole lot more professional.

 

[SabrinaO]

I agree with you all about getting the shot right sooc... but I've seen pictures with gels and its just not the look im going for. The backgrounds look too neon or illuminated. They also cast a slight colorcast back onto the subject too.

 

[SabrinaO]

Why wouldn't you just spend the $35 for a roll of seamless paper to do these shoots. It make it a whole lot easier, and looks a whole lot more professional.

That's what I used. I used a white seamless....... I have other colors but I wanted to use a white and add different gradient colors in post.