changing a photo's background

prazim · Post by **prazim** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:31 pm

I attempted to change the color of the background of a photo today and found that changing its color changed some portions of the color in the key content of the photo, so clearly I didn't approach this in the best way.

How do I:
change the color or entire background (change paneling to clouds, or whatever) of an image while retain the key components of the photo?

Thanks,
sue

Post by **LeviFiction** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:29 pm

That's a rather broad topic. There are so many ways it's not even funny.

If you're only talking about the HUE(color) of the background but not like actually changing the whole background to a solid specific color. Then my biggest suggestion would be using either selections or masks. In fact use both.

Select the portion of the image you want to change color. Then with that selected create a new adjustment layer using Hue/Saturation/Lightness adjustment layer. You can then either click the colorize button which will change every color in the selection to the new color or just move the Hue bar which will change all hue's respectively giving you a lot of differences.

Another way would be to create said adjustment layer and then with the layer selected and a black paint brush start brushing away the areas you don't want effected by the adjustment layer. Since adjustment layers have masks built right into them.

Both of these methods are non-destructive as in they don't actively change the pixel values of your image at all and you can change the adjustment at any time.

But selections/masks are key to singling out elements.

Another method that's possible is to use blending modes.

Make a blank layer on top of your current layer and change its blend mode to color. Well you can experiment but for the most part you just want color.

Then start painting on this layer with the color you want. Only paint the background. The layers will mix and you'll get that wonderful little effect.

prazim · Post by **prazim** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:43 am

This actually is not solving my problem as it's a complex, detailed image. If I use the color change, it is changing the background but also affecting some of the part I want to remain unchanged.

Is there a good reference site for good tips and tricks or tutorials for this by any chance?
Thanks,
Sue

Post by **LeviFiction** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:57 am

Color change should really only be used on simple things, and it's still used better when done with selections. Somethings are not going to be point and click.

You can attempt to adjust the tolerance and softness setting to get it a little tighter but outside of an actual selection my only other non-selection method would be to duplicate the layer, apply the change and erase any areas that seep into other objects.

Either way, if you want to use the color change option you're going to have to do some clean-up afterwards anyway.

As for sites, yes there are a few...a lot of sites left on the web usually date back to version 9 or x at the most. But there are a few with more recent material.

I might suggest the offical corel paint shop pro magazine website. Their forums are potentially more full of creative artist type people.

http://www.officialpspp.com/

There's also a website by a person called Michele, or something like that...just a second I have to look it up.

www.michelespaintshop.com

Also check out the tutorials section of these forums, they should have Paint Shop Pro site links that you can look into.

You might also find some good tutorials on YouTube. Veoh. There's another but I haven't been there in a while and I can't recall it's name. I'll post it if I think of it.

DevinatArt is also a place you can look for tutorials people have written on using Paint Shop Pro.

Also don't forget that as different as they are, a lot of Photoshop tutorials can be transferred over to Paint Shop Pro. Usually not recommended but I got some of my best information from those things.

Tim Morrison · Post by **Tim Morrison** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:53 am

Use the Background Eraser to get rid of the old background. See http://campratty.com/4tooltours/kz/bge1.html.
Then create a new layer, drag it underneath the current layer (in the Layers palette), and then flood fill or paste the new background into that new layer.

pdxrjt · Post by **pdxrjt** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:57 pm

Can't add much as I think the replies are right on target. Wanted to say "thanks" to Levifiction for the killer official PSP website. I did a search for support pages and whatever I typed in sure didn't give me that. I am registering right now. My only issue with PSP has been the lack of "external" support that the "other" program enjoys! Thanks again.

prazim · Post by **prazim** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:06 am

Thank you so much for this info!
Sue