Need Help to Remove/Replace Background in PSE7 or CS3

I have an important photo that I need to remove the background due to unwanted clutter objects and to be replace with a simple light gray or a suitable background.

In PSE7, I have used "Selection Brush Tool" and "Eraser Tool" for erasing the background but it's not smooth and its jagged..
Sorry, I am still learning the programs, I have both the PSE7 and CS3.

So I need help from anyone who can help, if you leave me a PM Message I can email the .JPG and RAW file of the photos to you. Thanks.

Note: See the actual photo in Message #3.

The full resolution to the is available for download at the link on message #7 below

Mufutau

Why not post a low res version, to see what the image looks like. Might be simple, might be hard.

On selecting people and other stuff in Photoshop, using channels & masks: http://dekedotcom.blip​.tv/

Thanks Rene. Here is the picture, showing the background.

Note: The full resolution to the is available for download at the link on message #7 below

Mufutau

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I took a quick shot at replacing the background. With a high-res image you should get able to get an excellent extraction. Other adjustments can be made to the lighting etc. to make it believable but this is just a proof of concept so I didn't spend too much time.

Onitsha?

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Wow! Thank you very much. That was a clean remove/replace. I love the quick edit. Thanks. I want to learn this PSEx/CSx thing
Anyway I can send you the full resolution file thru email to do the adjustment with a little note on how to do it.

Onitsha (Ibo)? = No.
Oyo (Yoruba) = Yes.

Mufutau

PixelMagic wrote in post #9074302
I took a quick shot at replacing the background. With a high-res image you should get able to get an excellent extraction. Other adjustments can be made to the lighting etc. to make it believable but this is just a proof of concept so I didn't spend too much time.

Onitsha?

You can upload the RAW file to a hosting site like www.yousendit.com and then paste the link in this thread.

That way others can try if they want....

Thanks. This has been done. The files are available for download at the links below.

This is the download link to the JPEG file.
http://www.yousendit.c​om …ad/TzY0eUNLU1A5​eFhIRGc9PQ

This the download link to the RAW version of the file:
https://www.yousendit.​com …ad/TzY0eUNGeWF3​NUxIRGc9PQ

The above files will be available for downloads for 7 days or 100 downloads.

Mufutau

PixelMagic wrote in post #9074371
You can upload the RAW file to a hosting site like www.yousendit.com and then paste the link in this thread.

That way others can try if they want....

This is where I am at the moment.... I know you asked for a light gray background so before I go further I want to know what you think about this one.

I haven't worked on the details like whitening eyes, removing sheen on the mother's face, etc. as yet.....kinda busy at the moment.

Thank you PixelMagic. This is also good.. The one with the light green background you did earlier is good too.. And Yes, I will appreciate working on the details too.. Thanks a bunch.

Mufutau

PixelMagic wrote in post #9075213
This is where I am at the moment.... I know you asked for a light gray background so before I go further I want to know what you think about this one.

I haven't worked on the details like whitening eyes, removing sheen on the mother's face, etc. as yet.....kinda busy at the moment.

Here's what I came up with.... let me know where I can send the full-sized JPEG.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/jpeg'

Thanks PixelMagic. I am sending you a PM with my email address.. or if you have a www.yousendit.com account you can send it there and sending me the link to download it. but I am sending you a PM now. Thanks very much, I owe you plenty.

Mufutau

PixelMagic wrote in post #9076528
Here's what I came up with.... let me know where I can send the full-sized JPEG.

HEY!! How did you do that so well...!!! please explain the process! thank you.

It would take me some time to describe adequately but you're free to take a look at the layer stack. If you have a basic understanding of post-processing you should be able to follow what I did from the layers.

The most difficult part was the extraction but fortunately the background - although cluttered - contrasted enough with the subjects to make extracting possible. I used the Calculations command the blend the Red and Blue channels to create a Channel mask.

snapper27 wrote in post #9112665
HEY!! How did you do that so well...!!! please explain the process! thank you.

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And PixelMagic, I really thank you very much for this perfect job. I am trying to learn how you did it from the files/pictures you sent me.

Also, I have resized both pictures to 24x36 and printed them; the pictures came out so good.. that I will never forget you.. Thank you very much.

You made me want to learn the art of post-processing.. I have all the softwares but no artistic knowledge yet.. TRhanks again.

Mufutau

PixelMagic wrote in post #9113757
It would take me some time to describe adequately but you're free to take a look at the layer stack. If you have a basic understanding of post-processing you should be able to follow what I did from the layers.

The most difficult part was the extraction but fortunately the background - although cluttered - contrasted enough with the subjects to make extracting possible. I used the Calculations command the blend the Red and Blue channels to create a Channel mask.

Amazingly good result, PixelMagic. Congratulations. If you can ever find the time to write this up it should end up in a sticky.

And if you do not write it up... For those interested: a lot of the techniques applied I could find in the book Photoshop CS, Studio Techniques by Ben Willmore (Adobe Press ISBN 0 - 321 - 21352 - 1). That book - amongst other subjects - describes in detail extracting techniques and also a number of retouching issues. I find it very helpful and use it frequently for reference.