Help Needed on Cleaning Images by Removing the Background

[bubbles780]

Hi,

I have just purchased Photoshop Elements 5 and am having trouble ( going insane) so would really be greatful if someone could put me on the right tracks.

I purchased the package to take photos clean and upload onto my e-commerce website. Pictures are of Cufflinks, caps, ties etc. I want to remove the background so that I can upload on to website with a clean white background.

Can someone please advise the easy way to do this and if I can drop a shadow around the image once cleared.

Hoping someone can help.

Thanks in advance.

Sonia

[Juergen D]

Sonia,
Yes, that can all be done. It'll take some practice, but it won't be too hard. A lot depends on the image(s) you have. It would be best if you posted a typical image and let us take a look and give you some instructions how to go about the task. Go to www.pixentral.com, upload a picture, which should be sized at about 800 pixels at its longest dimension, and come back here and post the URL.

Juergen

[GaryK]

Hi Sonia

Welcome to the forums.:)

To do this you must first "select" the object. There are a few selection tools some easier than others to sort out. They are grouped with the tool that looks like a lasso.
Once you do that just copy the selected items to a new layer (ctrl-J)

Then make a new document with just the layer of your item or turn off the background layer and save.


Hope this gets you started.:)

[bubbles780]

Thanks for the very prompt replys great to know their are many helpful people out their.

The photos I am working on all have a plain background, As I take the photograpghs on a blue cloth and then need to clear everything around so that when I upload the image its a nice crisp photo of the product.

I will upload a typical image later today and hopefully I can have a guide as to the steps to take to clean the image.

Theirs still hope for me to grasp this.....with all your help.

Thanks

Sonia

[bubbles780]

Sonia,
Yes, that can all be done. It'll take some practice, but it won't be too hard. A lot depends on the image(s) you have. It would be best if you posted a typical image and let us take a look and give you some instructions how to go about the task. Go to www.pixentral.com, upload a picture, which should be sized at about 800 pixels at its longest dimension, and come back here and post the URL.

Juergen

Hi Juergen,

Please find attached a photo at the below link
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1CoW0GKE7LqKtd156A6D7LbWYeSsn0

Most of my images will be simlar with a product, can you advise the bets tools and process to clena this up so that it is ready to use on my website that will look proffesional.

Thanks again.

Sonia

[Juergen D]

Sonia,
That textured background is not easily selectable with the Magic Wand, which would be the fastest method. Instead I used the Polygonal Lasso tool (the Magnetic Lasso will work too, only it is a bit harder to control), to select the two cufflinks.
Once the selection is complete, I go >Select >Feather and feather by one pixel. Next the selection goes on its own layer by typing CTRL-J (Layer 2). Then a new, blank layer is opened between Layer 1 and Layer 2. That is Layer 3, which is filled with the new background. In this case it is only filled with white. Also, a drop shadow is added to Layer 2 (>Artwork and Effects >Layer Styles).

Juergen

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ugzFEdCBhvtd9UZrXda4f603njV1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ugzFEdCBhvtd9UZrXda4f603njV1)

[bubbles780]

Thanks,

I tried that and it works its quite easy when someone explains it, I alos used the Magic wand for my other pictures and that works quite well also.

The only thing I had a problem finding was dropping the shadow, can you explain how I do this as I could not get a shadow. What do I need to do or which menu is it in.

Thanks again for your help, I would be lost without this forum.

Sonia

[Juergen D]

In my example, I have the cufflinks on their own layer. They were selected and placed on that layer, with transparency around them (no background). Make that layer active by clicking on the layer thumbnail and go to the Layers Palette and choose >Artwork and Effects, select >Layer Styles and then >Drop Shadows.

Juergen

[ufauxreal]

Hi Sonia...
I often take product shots and want them on a clean white background also. I find it helps a great deal if the photo is taken on a smooth monochromatic background. I purchased 3 pieces of posterboard (available at large craft stores). I have one in white, one in black and one in a medium gray. I use the white most often, unless the product has a lot of white in it, in which case I'll use the black. I almost never use gray but it does come in handy if the object has both very light and very dark portions. I do a few shots with flash, and a few without, then pick which looks best. Then, in PSE, it is much easier to select out the object. Shadows sometimes help to give depth to an object, but if you absolutely don't want any, you can get rid of them by cloning them out with the clone tool. I use the magic wand to select the background. Hold the shift key and keep clicking until all is selected.

Eliminating most shadows can also be done by choosing where you take the picture. I often drag my object and the posterboard outside. An overcast day works great, or taking the picture in what is called 'open shade'... that is shade that is cast by a large solid object like a house. Avoid shade under a tree because that will cause dappled lighting... and you don't want that! In the winter I take photos in front of a glass door.

I'm not nearly as accomplished in using PSE as many of the other posters here, but I hope some of these tips will be useful. Here's is an example of one of mine:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1hVH4E97sDj6WRARoTCCzWvyxCusan1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hVH4E97sDj6WRARoTCCzWvyxCusan1)

Joan
Edited to say: I just re-read your post and see that you want to ADD the shadow... not remove it. I'm not sure how to do it but hopefully someone will be along to clarify.

[Wendy]

Hi Sonia ...

For something like this I would probably use a drop shadow on its own layer ... there is a very brief tutorials showing how to do that on the forum. Its listed in Wendy's Mini Tutorials (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3641)

but here is the indiviual link:

Drop Shadow on its own layer (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1784)

Hope that it helps :)

Wendy