Removing background from images

[Alex Ross]

User 'Alex Ross' is actually a serial spammer and so this account has been terminated and links posted to commercial sites removed. But there is some useful information in the responses in this thread, so these are being retained.

Hi,

I am designing a catalog however the photos have a background, for
example the pictures are of shoes but i can see the table the shoe is
sitting on and the background behind the shoe, is there a way to cut
the shoes out in Photoshop so the background is removed?

Thanks

[Ian]

Re: Removing background from images

Hi,

I am designing a catalog however the photos have a background, for
example the pictures are of shoes but i can see the table the shoe is
sitting on and the background behind the shoe, is there a way to cut
the shoes out in Photoshop so the background is removed?

Thanks

Hi Alex,

Which version of Photoshop are you using?

The latest versions, CS3 and CS4 have quite sophisticated smart masking tools which can isolate quite complex shapes and edges.

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Removing background from images

Hi Alex,

Which version of Photoshop are you using?

The latest versions, CS3 and CS4 have quite sophisticated smart masking tools which can isolate quite complex shapes and edges.

Ian

It may also be helpfull to see an example of the picture you wish to make the cut-out. This can determine the best method for cutting out.
I now favour the use of vector masks, very accurate with minimal effort.
I will be glad to tell how to go about it.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Removing background from images

It may also be helpfull to see an example of the picture you wish to make the cut-out. This can determine the best method for cutting out.
I now favour the use of vector masks, very accurate with minimal effort.
I will be glad to tell how to go about it.

Patrick

Well as I sense the OP won't be asking, I'd definitely like to know Patrick

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Removing background from images

Hi,

If you shoot with a single colour background as evenly lit as possible then the following will help you a lot.

[ame]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SsJ-x43F6oc&feature=related[/ame]

[Patrick]

Re: Removing background from images

Well as I sense the OP won't be asking, I'd definitely like to know Patrick

Hi Stephen

Been out all day and after tea out again, Photo Club.
Will reply in full tomorrow.

Patrick

[Autumn]

Re: Removing background from images

Well as I sense the OP won't be asking, I'd definitely like to know Patrick

Me too please Patrick.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Removing background from images

I too would be interested to know how please! Would the background have to be one colour?

[Patrick]

Re: Removing background from images

Well as I sense the OP won't be asking, I'd definitely like to know Patrick

[jojo]

Re: Removing background from images

Thanks for that Patrick - I've printed it out for use later.

jo

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Removing background from images

Thanks very much, that will come in very handy!

[Autumn]

Re: Removing background from images

Thanks Patrick, I have also printed it for use later.

[jojo]

Re: Removing background from images

Hi Patrick, had a go at this method - not very sucessfully I'm afraid. More down to me not fully understanding what I'm doing and probably being a bit ham-fisted (not getting the levels adjustment bit!) If everyone else manages to grasp it - great stuff, but if it's not just me, any chance you could show a step by step guide with some grab shots as examples. I appreciate that it's a busy time of the year so no hurry.

Cheers,
jo

[Patrick]

Re: Removing background from images

Hi Patrick, had a go at this method - not very sucessfully I'm afraid. More down to me not fully understanding what I'm doing and probably being a bit ham-fisted (not getting the levels adjustment bit!) If everyone else manages to grasp it - great stuff, but if it's not just me, any chance you could show a step by step guide with some grab shots as examples. I appreciate that it's a busy time of the year so no hurry.

Cheers,
jo

Hi Jo

Yes I will go through it again but with screen grabs, time presses at the moment but I will have the opportunity over the holiday if not sooner.

Patrick

[ls123]

Re: Removing background from images

Thanks very much for the youtube tutorial, it was really helpful.