How to: White backgrounds

Vinny

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Okay so by no means am I an expert, but this is a lovely little technique for getting those white backgrounds in Photoshop CS+ (PS).

Take your subjects in normal light against a white backdrop. For this instance, I have three dining chairs on a sofa in the conservatory with a white duvet hanging off them!!

Open your image in PS.

Layer --> Duplicate Layer. Click Ok.

Layer --> Blending Options--> Change from Normal to Screen. Click Ok. You now have a white image.

Layer --> Duplicate Layer. Click Ok. Even whiter.

Layer --> Blending Options--> Change from Screen to Overlay. Now the image is really strange :D

Change the opacity until you are happy with the image. Click on okay.

Now to get a really white background, click on Layer --> New Adjustment Layer --> Levels

In the histogram, drag the white arrow to the right, left a little. Watch your image.

Also drag the middle arrow for the subjects a little until you are happen.

Click on Ok.

Now click on Layer and flatten image.

Okay, so you have your piccy. You can now alter the curves, saturation, and convert to B&W if you wish.

Check for any white areas that need touching up to make it perfectly white after you've finished.

Then, if you wish, click on Canvas size and add 1cm all around the image giving a clean white border.

Original:



After the above steps:



In the above instance I didn't have time to take the photo "properly" - I get to see my kids every other weekend and their Mum is taking them away for the next four weekends now (?!!?) so I didn't spend too much time with the camera. But, before I had to take them back I wanted to get an image I could play about with until next time!

So, have fun peeps and lets see the results :D
 
A very good tutorial vinny.

Just one thing to remember........if you models are standing..you wont want them looking like they are floating so you will have to leave a bit of something showing under them. :thumbs:

mayballtom.jpg
 
Nice advice :thumbs: will give it a go :)
 
Great little tutorial that Vinny, thanks :)

And thanks to Janice for that tip too :)
 
A very good tutorial vinny.

Just one thing to remember........if you models are standing..you wont want them looking like they are floating so you will have to leave a bit of something showing under them. :thumbs:

mayballtom.jpg

Janice I've recently bought some studio gear and I'm not sure I like the wrinkly look. Am thinking about getting some plexi-glass (perspex) and putting a sheet down on the ground that subjects can stand on. Will keep the cloth nice and flat and will allow a nice reflective shadow too....
 
Janice, I'm not sure I like the wrinkly look.

Neither do I really, but my husband's getting on a bit now!! ;) :D :lol:




Seriously though,, wont a sheet of perspex give a line behind where the vertical white wall/sheet, meets the horizontal ground/perspex?
 
I knew you were asking for trouble using "Janice" and "Wrinkly" in the same sentence.

I was going to warn you ..... Too late now!

If anyone hasn't learnt that by now..........then they don't deserve any special treatment!!! :D :lol:
 
lol!!
 
Get a large piece of board and emulsion paint it white, once it gets too dirty, wack it again with some more paint.

Here is a picture of my model sitting on the board, nice and white and no join line.

Portrait-1.jpg
http://www.gkdigital.co.uk/Gallery/People/slides/Portrait-5.html

She is my model as well.... Is her name Emma? I photographed her at the Peak Photo Centre a couple of years ago. I remember being told to paint a white board too. :thumbs: :lol:
 
I think it was Kelly, but yes Peak Photo Centre :D
 
excellent tutorial! I have a batch of photos of my niece that I'll be able to use this with! looks like I'm going to be having a busy weekend!!

Also, janice - how did you leave a portion of it so that you could see the sheet under your handsom models feet?!
 
Can anyone help me do this with Paintshop pro 9. I have tried but my subjects becomes to light and over exposed. Maybe there is something i'm missing or need to do extra/differently in Paintshop.

Any help appreciated
 
Also, janice - how did you leave a portion of it so that you could see the sheet under your handsom models feet?!

That's no handsome model................that's my son!! :D :lol:

I just faded the levels back in around that area so they didnt disappear.




Answer to the last question........... You dont do this on the whole photo.. only the white areas....... makes it easier if you models arent wearing white of course!
Go to levels... and drag up the right hand slider.........OR use the white eyedropper tool and click it on the background in various places.

Its a bit hit and miss Im afraid.... so there is nothing better than getting it right for starters in camera with your lighting. I have now started to light the background and this doesnt happen.

Can anyone explain then this board thing?
You paint a board white and use it on the floor. What do you use for the background...a white cloth as before? And you say you cant see the join? (Ernie Wise springs to mind!!) :D
 
Can anyone explain then this board thing?
You paint a board white and use it on the floor. What do you use for the background...a white cloth as before? And you say you cant see the join? (Ernie Wise springs to mind!!) :D

Janice, from memory of attending the same course as Glen (don't count on me remembering anything at my age:thinking: ), the backdrop came down from the ceiling on chains which you could change colour to Black with a lever thingy. Anyway, it was a roll of white background paper which came down the back and then pulled forward to cover the floor area as well. The tutor told us to note down his tip which was to get a board about 4'x6' and paint it matt white and place it on top of the White backdrop that is laying on the floor. He said it saves the paper from being torn and getting dirty. Otherwise, after every shoot he would have to tear off the paper and pull down a new piece, which would work out expensive.

The board is invisible because the f stop of the lamps pointing at an angle at the backdrop are set 2 stops away from the key light and therefore the White (incl board) is blown out. Now I understand that perfectly..... Not sure if anyone else can:shrug:
 
where did i go wrong?

couldnt get it any better

please help as i love the white background look
 
ct took the pic out.

dont really want to leace pics of kids floating about in cyber space
 
why do you need to have a white background before hand? why can't you jjust add it to the photo? sorry can anyone explain?
 
Go to levels... and drag up the right hand slider.........OR use the white eyedropper tool and click it on the background in various places.

Janice - Thanks for that tip, you have got me out of a rather big hole. The pics I took were against a white background but around the edges were slightly darker as the main lights were pointing at the young lady.
 
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