How do I make the background more white in Lightroom

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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I have a few pics taken with a white background and would like to boost the whiteness (currently a dull white/light grey). I can do this with brightness or exposure but obviously this impacts on the subject.

Is there a way I can do this in Lightroom - keep it simple as I is stupid :p
 
Try the "Lights" slider to see if this works, Otherwise use the adjustment brush to paint exposure onto the background
 
mattyh said:
Use the local adjustment brush, with the mode set to exposure, and the Auto Mask feature ticked... It will detect areas of differing contrast, and only change the bits that are the same (i.e. the white background)

Doesn't affect the subject then :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, had a quick play and seems to work, although you have to be careful not to overlap the subject.
 
Ok, had a bit more of a play and overall its fine but impossible for me to go between bits of hair etc... and change so painting not the best way as i keep overlapping arms and hair, what is curves and can anyone talk me through.
 
In Lightroom it is called "Tone Curve" and can be found in the develop module, making the line more of an S shape makes the lights lighter and the darks darker.
 
But that also has an effect on the subject, I only want to brighten the background, guess this cant be done?
 
Im not sure how to do it in Lightroom as I have never seen or used it but in PS you create a LEVELS layer and drag the right hand slider towards the centre. This will increase the whites in the whole picture. Then Select a black brush on the layer mask and rub out the parts you dont want changing. This will bring the original layer through wherever you rub out. If you make a mistake then change the brush to white and you can rub the changes back in.

Im not sure if Lightroom allows layers but if it does then try doing the above. It sounds difficult but after a couple of goes its pretty easy.

Search YouTube and there are loads of free tutorial videos
 
You can use the picker tool at the top left of the Tone Curves to select the back ground and only drag that up, this will effect the tone of the background more. Obviously if your subject is the same tone as the background, that is going to change your subject too, in which case you are back to the local adjustment brush.

If you want everything to be pixel perfect though, you are going to need to take the image into Elements/Photoshop.
 
Hi Simon,

If you really want to do this to the highest standards and don't mind spending a bit of money you could buy the Mask Pro 4 plugin from On-One Software.

I saw it demo'd by Mark Cleghorn at a seminar a couple of months ago and it really does seem to make selections a breeze - hair being your biggest enemy in this case I suspect. HTH
 
Is PS still the best way to edit a grey background more white? I tried in LR 4.3 but struggled when you have to get close to the subject :(
 
What issue do you have using the Adjustment brush and Auto mask?

Use a fairly large soft brush. Keep the + in the centre OFF of your subject. Up the exposure to taste. Paint around the background and job done.
 
VinnyB said:
Im not sure how to do it in Lightroom as I have never seen or used it but in PS you create a LEVELS layer and drag the right hand slider towards the centre. This will increase the whites in the whole picture. Then Select a black brush on the layer mask and rub out the parts you dont want changing. This will bring the original layer through wherever you rub out. If you make a mistake then change the brush to white and you can rub the changes back in.

Im not sure if Lightroom allows layers but if it does then try doing the above. It sounds difficult but after a couple of goes its pretty easy.

Search YouTube and there are loads of free tutorial videos
Click to expand...

Lightroom is set up differently to photoshop, the lightroom controls are more or less what you have in camera raw (as far as the OP's question is concerned) and it doesn't do layers.
 
EOS_JD said:
What issue do you have using the Adjustment brush and Auto mask?

Use a fairly large soft brush. Keep the + in the centre OFF of your subject. Up the exposure to taste. Paint around the background and job done.
Click to expand...

I just seem to get a 'halo' effect, and struggle with the subjects hair line :(
 
You're not using a large enough feathering - Bigger softer brush. Keep the + off the sbjects hair/clothers/skin
 
EOS_JD said:
You're not using a large enough feathering - Bigger softer brush. Keep the + off the sbjects hair/clothers/skin
Click to expand...

Thanks, will give it another go and post some results. I haven't got access to PS atm. So my next best is LR.
 
treeman said:
Is there a reason why you're not lighting it to get the background white, rather than having to work out a way to do it in post?
Click to expand...

Treeman, I would have done if I knew how :( it was the first time I've done a shoot against a white wall.
 
jimmy83 said:
Thanks, will give it another go and post some results. I haven't got access to PS atm. So my next best is LR.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about Lightroom and I find Lr quicker and easier than camera raw.
 
8292586258_150874f29d_c.jpg


Best attempt :( yeah I know the right needs work, might crop it abit
 
Don't do it in photoshop. Use lightroom or camera raw and use a soft adjustment brush with auto mask ticked. Much more difficult in photoshop and this needs a lot of work
 
For crying out loud! this thread sums up everything thats wrong about photography theses days.

Stop trying to use PS to fix bad photography skills, getting a white background is very easy, just do a quick google and theres loads of info out there.

Seriously, get it right in camera and it'll save you loads of time in the long run :)
 
jimmy83 said:
8292586258_150874f29d_c.jpg


Best attempt :( yeah I know the right needs work, might crop it abit
Click to expand...

This is not an attractive edit. It's like something is growing out the side of his head.
 
treeman said:
For crying out loud! this thread sums up everything thats wrong about photography theses days.

Stop trying to use PS to fix bad photography skills, getting a white background is very easy, just do a quick google and theres loads of info out there.

Seriously, get it right in camera and it'll save you loads of time in the long run :)
Click to expand...

No need to be rude!
We all know it is best to get it right in camera, I think the OP knows that too!
However we all make mistakes and it is not always possible to re-shoot.
In which case advice is being sought
 
Whilst Treeman is overly abrupt, I have to agree with him: Photography skills are starting to become a thing of the past, and there's a preference from most people to fix things post shoot. The annoying thing, is, it's harder, takes more work, and is completely unnecessary if you just take the time and effort to light the image correctly in the first place. People seem to not mind spending ages at the computer post processing images, yet rarely seem inclined to spend that time learning the photographic skills that would make spending time at the computer redundant.

:bang:
 
treeman said:
For crying out loud! this thread sums up everything thats wrong about photography theses days.

Stop trying to use PS to fix bad photography skills, getting a white background is very easy, just do a quick google and theres loads of info out there.

Seriously, get it right in camera and it'll save you loads of time in the long run :)
Click to expand...

Totally agree. Harsh on camera Flash. Even the child's expression says nothing. So much for the op to learn before worrying about correcting anything post.
 
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treeman said:
For crying out loud! this thread sums up everything thats wrong about photography theses days.

Stop trying to use PS to fix bad photography skills, getting a white background is very easy, just do a quick google and theres loads of info out there.

Seriously, get it right in camera and it'll save you loads of time in the long run :)
Click to expand...

Wow, thread revived from the dead!

However, I take issue with this comment. I do not use ps to fix bad photography skills. Getting a white bg is easy, and I do get it right most of the time. But as I shoot in people's homes, I am sometimes restricted with space and cannot light as I would like. If I shoot at home I only have space for 1 light for example. On a recent shoot I was planning an outdoor shoot for a group of 14, but due to rain it had to b inside. I needed ps to correct bad photography as I was unable to make 14 *** fit within a 2m bg, unless you have the answer.
 
Yes shoot in smaller groups with good photography then merge in photoshop
 
Yet another thread that's getting somewhat offensive. The OP has asked for advice. I'm sure if he was able to re-shoot he would.

Time that some on here lightened up and remember it is Christmas day so a bit of goodwill towards men wouldn't go amiss.
 
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