becky_e

Hi, I am completely new to photoshop and have been trying for hours to figure out how to do the following:

I have a headshot against a wall and the head has a shadow on it. The colour of the wall is to close to the colour of the face so I need to change the background to a white colour. However, I try using the magic wand and then image, adjustments, levels to make the background but this leaves a distorted bit where the shadow is.

I'm sure there is a really easy way for me to cut his head out and put on a white background but I cant find it anywhere,

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Nicola

Gaussian

Welcome ncassidy!

I haven't seen the picture, but it's my guess that the best tools to use are the pen tool for the face ( see this post http://www.photoshopgurus.com/forum/...87413#msg87413 ) and a mask for the hair. Mind you, I might offer you a totally different solution, when I would actually see the image.

becky_e

Hi there thanks for that!! Im not sure how to attach image so couldnt post it If you could let me knw how to then I definitely will

Thanks alot,
Nicola

Gaussian

See attachment. Limits: max file size 100KB, maximum width 700 pixels.

becky_e

oops lol - how thick of me!! thanks

I want the pic to be head and shoulders and a white background (without the shadows). Help appreciated

Nicola

Gaussian

In this example I've extracted the image with the pen tool. The hair was not accurately extracted with the pen tool, I just made a broad selection in that area and used the mask instead. I also used the mask to soften two cornered edges of the shirt.
When you're done you might consider to flatten the result and soften its edges a bit, it all depends on what you're going to do with it.

You can download the original PSD here: http://www.photoshopgurus.com/forum/...extraction.psd to examine what I did and to fine-tune the extraction, which was a rather quick one.

See you next time.