Replacing Backgrounds Tutorial #2 (Blending)

[TTQ B4U]

Another great method of background replacement doesn't involve masking at all. In fact it involves just a very good blending technique that a long time friend and fellow photographer has outlined in an set of actions he has created and offered for free.

 

Chip Springer is the creator and his technique is called InstaMask. He has created a series of this same technique, one to work on white backgrounds, one for grey and one for black. The idea is you use the one that best shows off your subject. Light hair on black, dark hair on white and the rest on grey. I typically shoot against a white backdrop as it's just plain too easy to add backgrounds to them.

 

Here's a recent example using an image from another photographer friend of mine who also enjoys digital editing; Ronny Harris.

 

Standard White Background: Notice the lighting was not ideal. That's okay.

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/145495570/original.jpg

 

 

Follow along Chips step by step actions and instructions which will call for you to select a new backdrop.

 

 

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/145495571/original.jpg

 

 

Lastly, it's time to correct the lighting and add a bit of digital photography lighting. Notice, it's all about the eyes and creating realistic and interesting catch lights. Without the reflection your subject appears dead.

 

 

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/145495572/original.jpg

 

 

 

Here too, the devil is in the details; and those details are present. Here's a 100% crop from the larger/full size image with a slightly different background applied. Notice the fine hairs still present and captured with detail. This level would be difficult with a masking technique.

 

http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/145377380/original.jpg