Is there a way...

[birdfish]

Does anyone know a way to make the BG in a photo like this, completely black but still look natural using PSE 9?? It was just a wrinkled black sheet I had in the closet and I wanted to see how it would turn out. I also heard that without PP, you can move the subject as far away from the BG as possible.

 

[480sparky67 67]

Select the black bg, then turn the brightness down. This isn't done with the same program, but most will have that ability.

 

[birdfish]

Wow, thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. Just curious, what program did you use?

 

[480sparky67 67]

Wow, thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. Just curious, what program did you use?

Capture NX2.

 

[Kerbouchard]

This was done in Adobe Camera RAW in about 30 seconds...I'm sure it can be done in Photoshop Elements, but it might take a bit more work. White balance adjustment with a targeted exposure adjustment on the background.

 

[Kerbouchard]

And here is one without the background completely black and more in lines with how I would edit if it was mine...Targeted adjustment for the background, white balance adjustment, some clarity, drop the saturation down a bit, recovery to bring back some highlights, some targeted hue adjustments to remove some of the yellow that the white balance didn't take care of, some sharpening and some noise reduction...Still all done in Adobe Camera RAW, which I think comes with Photoshop Elements.

Nice capture. Great sharpness and great expression. Nice work. With a few adjustments, I'm sure you will make some mothers' day.

 

[KmH]

I did nothing to the background but addressed the white balance, sharpening, and hot spots (lower lip, ball). I also did a little dodging and worked a little on the catchlights in the eyes. It looks like you used tungsten lighting with your camera's white balance set to sunlight, making his skin look very orange.

 

[birdfish]

Thanks Kerbouchard! I like your edit, makes it look a lot more natural. And thanks for the kind words. This is my son and as many pictures as I take of him, he has learned to love the camera.

 

[birdfish]

Thank you KmH, I was wonderig why his skin had that tint to it.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Nice edit.

And here is one without the background completely black and more in lines with how I would edit if it was mine...Targeted adjustment for the background, white balance adjustment, some clarity, drop the saturation down a bit, recovery to bring back some highlights, some targeted hue adjustments to remove some of the yellow that the white balance didn't take care of, some sharpening and some noise reduction...Still all done in Adobe Camera RAW, which I think comes with Photoshop Elements.

Nice capture. Great sharpness and great expression. Nice work. With a few adjustments, I'm sure you will make some mothers' day.

 

[Kerbouchard]

Thanks Kerbouchard! I like your edit, makes it look a lot more natural. And thanks for the kind words. This is my son and as many pictures as I take of him, he has learned to love the camera.

No problem. I'm sure you can do even better with the original file. You have a great subject to practice on.

Nice edit.

And here is one without the background completely black and more in lines with how I would edit if it was mine...Targeted adjustment for the background, white balance adjustment, some clarity, drop the saturation down a bit, recovery to bring back some highlights, some targeted hue adjustments to remove some of the yellow that the white balance didn't take care of, some sharpening and some noise reduction...Still all done in Adobe Camera RAW, which I think comes with Photoshop Elements.

Nice capture. Great sharpness and great expression. Nice work. With a few adjustments, I'm sure you will make some mothers' day.

Thanks