Backgrounds

[Capt Gary]

Hi, I'm very new to this game but having a good time learning.

If anyone could help me I would like to change the background in a bird photo I shot.
I'd like to get rid of the blury stuff in the background and just put the bird up against a blue sky.

How is it done?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Byron Gale]

Capt Gary,

In simple terms, you must select the part you want to keep (the bird), and then copy it to another image containing your preferred background. Or you select the parts you don't like, delete them, and place a new image behind your now-"perforated" original.

The first method would be best if you just have a single object to keep. The second method might be better if you are just replacing a portion of the image while keeping thngs like a skyline from the original, as well as the central object.

If the current background is a uniform color, you can probably select it with the Magic Want. Otherwise, you will probably end up using one of the Lasso variants to outline your main subject.

Is that enough to get started?

Byron

[Cmcburnett]

Capt Gary, by the way, I love your screen name, welcome to the forum. You may want to look at this video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3375294950958238010

The video shows you how to replace the sky and you can pause it while working on your photo. I found it to be helpful. Good luck.

[Shari]

Hi Capt. Gary - Welcome. If you are a subscriber there are six videos on selections in the tutorial section. Just search for selections. If you are not a subscriber - the money is well worth it. So many tutorials for the newcomer - and people like me that have been around for a few years but keep forgetting how to do things!!! Have fun.
Shari