Convert a color photo

[posnpretty]

I scanned a color photo of my grandmother to my PC and saved it as a .psp image in PSP X2 so I could edit it without losing photo quality. What I want to do is convert it to a black and white image, remove the darkish background, resize and crop it.

I think the help instructions said to resize images last, but does it matter what order I do the other touch-ups? I tried using the Time Machine Box Camera effect to make it look like a b&w photo from the 60's, and it did just that.

However, when I next removed the background and then added in a much lighter background, now the photo doesn't look right. It's too 'flat' - I think it might need some backlighting, but I'm not sure if that's the problem. It just doesn't look dimensional anymore.

Should I try removing the background before I convert it to a black and white photo? Or, is there something else I need to do?

Thanks,
Cyndi

[sjj1805]

No two projects are ever the same. Some photos are best done with the background removed first, other photos are best done with it removed last.

As for resizing - one of the first things I seem to do is to crop a photo and if necessary add a plain border. although the plain border isn't required it can sometimes help when straightening a picture or object, or working in the corners/sides. later I will crop that border away again.

With some pictures it is easier to remove background objects because the colours make them easier to pick out. If you converted the picture to grey or black and white then you might find it harder to pick out the boundaries.

[posnpretty]

Okay, thanks. I fiddle around with some of the adjustments and finally came up with an okay image. But I don't remember exactly what I did to get there, LOL! If I want to do this again, I'll try to remember to write down all the changes I did to get it looking more dimensional.

Thanks for your help!
Cyndi

[pdxrjt]

As stated, there is no "right way" to make a photo look good. I use a number of different methods, but rather than write something down or redoing a change, I save multiple versions of the photo and label them: Trees 1-greens darkened, Trees 2-shadows lightened, etc. Alternatively, you can save in PSP format with stuff done on layers, so layer 1 is original, duplicate it, shut off layer 1, make changes to layer 2, duplicate layer 2, shut off layer 2 make changes to layer 3. Unless you have many many steps, that should work okay.... then you convert it at the end to the format you wish to print/save etc.