eliminating the background 'stuff'

[its_me]

me again.

I have another picture with 2 people standing on a runway at an airport with lots of busy stuff in the background; people, cars, etc. I want to eliminate this 'stuff' from the background, but when I use the magic eraser, it also erases the suits and/or faces of the 2 people I want to keep.

I tried the cloning technique using the runway but there is so much to eliminate, it's not looking natural.

Can anyone make a recommendation on how to remove the busy stuff from the background? I'd really like to keep the basis of this photo if at all possible (meaning, i still want them on the runway). Any ideas?

Much appreciated!

[hukari]

First of all, it is good to know which version you are using, since each one has different tools. A lot of us have the version info in our signature so we don't have to repeat it.

If I were you, I would try selecting the two people and using Ctrl+J to put them on their own layer. Then do a blur on the background to make it less distracting. If you need help in selecting, please ask. One tip: it often takes a combination of selection tools to get a good selection, so do a rough selection first, then refine it with other tools. There is a good overview of the selection tools here (http://akvis.com/en/photoshop-tips/selection-tools-elements.php).

Good luck, and come back for more if you don't get it right away. It isn't so easy the first few times around!

[its_me]

oops! i think i have updated my sig now. thx for the feedback on that.

i appreciate the info on how to try to make the change i want. i'll try it. thx!

[hukari]

You can always use Pixentral to post your image here to get more help. It's easier to judge which tools to use if you've seen the image.

[its_me]

Reka, thank you so much for your input on how to fix my background. I'm having difficulties understanding the step-by-step process.

I have made the selection around the 2 people well enough I think and then did CTL-J. A new layer is created but nothing is on the new layer except the outline of the selection I made. Is that right? Or am I missing something on the set-up?

If I can get the 2 off the page, then I can either clone and copy and paste the background to fix it, but now I'm stuck on how to move these guys aside properly.

I would appreciate your help.

Not sure if my siggy is actually working so I'll add my info here:
pse5, xp

[hukari]

Hi! Just got on. If you aren't going to bed right away, I'll post a few screen shots that may help you.

[its_me]

I'm on the other side of the world so I'm up for another 6 hours. LOL! I would soooooooooo appreciate it!

I'm leary about posting the picture because I don't have permission of either. I could post it and pm you the link to show you my trouble. It's the runway that's killing me. Well, that and I'm a newbie. LOL!

[hukari]

Okay, this is what you should be seeing when you select your people. Then you press Ctrl+J and the egg should be on its own layer.

Post to www.pixentral.com, then paste the second link under the picture (for forums) here. Then we can see.

[hukari]

Your layers palette should look something like this after you have done Ctrl+J.

You mean you don't have the people's permission to post their picture, or what?

[its_me]

definitely doing something wrong. doh! OK> going to post the pic now......

[its_me]

here's the pic but only temporarily please!

[hukari]

Well, first of all, you should do some adjustments on the picture first. Remove the dust and scratches, pump up the color, adjust the levels. It also looks like there are quite a few fingerprints on it, and something has been spilled on it. I am not an excellent retoucher, but we have some really good ones on the forum who may pop in to help.

I just did a quick smart fix on it and selected the men about as quickly. What worked best for me was to use the magic wand tool with a standard 32 tolerance for the suits, then used the magic wand for the top and finished up with the selection brush, feathering about 5 px at the end. As you see, just one tool doesn't do the job.

Oops, see I missed someone's leg in the back, too!

[its_me]

Yes. Definitely an old photo ('76 i believe) which was scanned in. OK. I'm laughing at your response cuz I really haven't a clue but I'm going to try it.

I think I need to start at the very beginning and explain what I'm doing. Please dissect and tell me what step I'm missing.

1. using the selection brush tool, i draw around the image. i'm not worried right about quality of that selection right now. that's going to come after i can even get it on the new layer!
2. once the image is selected and i have dancing ants, i press CTL-J. a new layer pops up LAYER VIA COPY.

this is where the problem comes in. there is nothing there. i hide the background and then i see the outline only on the LAYER VIA COPY.

have i done something wrong in the process to get the image on to a new layer?

man! i'm going to owe you BIGTIME!

[hukari]

Do you only have the original image in the layer palette, or is there another layer before you do Ctrl+J?? You have to have the background image (original) highlighted before you can copy it.

[Inspeqtor]

I had a go at this... I did not spend a lot of time with it. I first used the magnetic lasso tool, then switched to the selection brush to fine tune it a little, but it could still use more work on that. As Reka said, it does need more retouching.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/117bXy1mHqsa4iX4iUGsfYs7xc9IFd0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=117bXy1mHqsa4iX4iUGsfYs7xc9IFd0)

[hukari]

Charles, glad to see YOU got that third leg outta there!

Its me, it's better to get your selection perfect before you copy it. If you get tired of refining the selection, save it (Select>Save selection...) and come back to it later. You'll be much happier with the finished product if you retouch it first, then select it well and then copy.

[hukari]

Here's a good tutorial about removing dust and scratches:
http://www.peachpit.com/guides/content.aspx?g=photoshop&seqNum=170&rl=1

[its_me]

OK. Understand your recommendation. Didn't realize I could save in the middle of selection. I will try it.

But for the copying method, I only have the background layer in the palette. I'll try it again.....

Also, I did the smart fix and wow! That looks nice!

Charles/Rika, I'm envious. Lots to learn!!!!

Thank you so much for this kick-start. I'm sure it's going to take me forever in between the time I actually have to play. Thx so much!

[hukari]

Good luck, and be sure to come back with any further questions!

[Inspeqtor]

Hi,

Glad we could help! Like Reka said, if you have any more questions, come back and I am sure someone will be around to answer.

Do you mind telling us your name so we know what to call you? Thanks :)

[its_me]

Darn it! Play time is over cuz the kiddy comes home now. I'm excited to get working on this. Thx so much.

my name? Well, it's me! Michele! hahahah. bad humor, i know. lol!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!