Adobe Photoshop and CS

[Master Mason]

Have you ever worked with a photo edting program before?

If not, then I would suggest going with the elements until you learn what that will do and need to do something it won't.

I bought CS2 out of the gate, and I would guess I have never used anything that was not in elements to date.

 

[MICKEY88]

another option is Paint Shop Pro Photo X2..

it will basically do everything that photo shop will do, it has an easier learning curve, many actions are built in and can be done quite easily for the beginner, but as you get more comfortable withthe program you can do them manually and have more control..

it's on sale for $89 right now and comes with several free bonus programs...


you can also download the free 30 day trial version...


www.corel.com

 

[dburg30]

You can also DL cs3 trial software, and maybe elements? from www.adobe.com or you should be able to..

 

[SharonLowe]

As Gregg said, if you are just starting out, I would go with Elements. CS is an extremely complex program that works really well if you know what you are doing. Elements does much of what it does and certainly does everything you need if you are starting out. Paint Shop Pro PhotoX2 is also a good option if you are on a PC - no Mac version. Lightroom is another one too but I find it much more limiting so don't really recommend it.

 

[npmommie]

I don't often do this, but I am trying to remove something from a photo, I am using the clone tool on adobe, is there an easier way or a way to make it look natural and more "smooth". Some of it looks good to me, but some spots look "fake".

 

[Master Mason]

If you post what you started with, and say what you want removed you'll be able to get better responses... what needs to be done varries by every situation.

 

[npmommie]

ok, this is a similar image to the one I am working on. I basically want to take people out and make it look like there were not there, like the guys head with the grey hair.

 

[npmommie]

ok i guess i did it wrong, i posted the img link from photobucket but the pic isn't there, what did i do wrong?

 

[npmommie]

 

[npmommie]

anyone? i could use tips on the best way to get something out of a photo with a busy background.
like removing a person.

 

[SharonLowe]

Many on here are very good at removing and replacing but I think you have presented an almost impossible task - what do you replace one person in a crowd with when all you have is other people in that same area? If you have a similar image, you might be able to cut part of it and paste it into the image you posted. But, just cloning won't work here. A very good example of why it sometimes pays to wait a moment or move to a different angle. Maybe someone took a similar shot and can help out.

 

[Master Mason]

I will agree that this would be next to impossible, but maybe someone else can help.

I will also toss out that you probably shouldn't have been using a flash here, the flash was not going to help light your true subject in any manner, but did make the guy's head a light brighter in your photo, esentially calling attention to something you didn't want in the picture.

 

[Gdad]

That would be tuff to remove and make look normal. One thing on the next try would be to avoid using the flash in this type of shot. The only thing it illuminated was the people you want removed.

 

[manning]

Is this what you are looking for?

If so, this is what I did in Elements

Using magnetic lasso trace the couple on all sides (including the bottom.)

Using the paint brush
1. enlarge the circle to completely fill the couple
2, using the eye drop make the color black
3. set opacity to 25%

You don't have to move the brush, just left click the mouse. each time you click the couple will darken.

 

[AndrewWG]

Many on here are very good at removing and replacing but I think you have presented an almost impossible task - what do you replace one person in a crowd with when all you have is other people in that same area? If you have a similar image, you might be able to cut part of it and paste it into the image you posted. But, just cloning won't work here. A very good example of why it sometimes pays to wait a moment or move to a different angle. Maybe someone took a similar shot and can help out.

I agree. I took one look at this shot and what was wanted from it and I said "impossible". I'm sure it is actually possible, but it would be a real stretch and would most likely not look like it should. Here is a similar pic that I took 2 weeks ago. Perhaps it can give you an idea of some more of the area that you want to clone, but it still doesn't give you an empty street by any means! Feel free to use it if you want to clone anything from it or just use it as a guide. Whatever you want. I think that it is nearly impossible to get a shot of Osbourne without any people on the street. It would be a great opportunity for a CM with a camera though!

Actually, now that I see them side by side, it doesn't give you much I suppose. You can still use it if you think it will help.

 

[npmommie]

Thank you everyone!! yes darkening them works, it makes the head less obvious!! I will remember about the flash! I think I did do a couple without flash, but they didn't come out great! I will post so you can see.

 

[SharonLowe]

Is this what you are looking for?

If so, this is what I did in Elements

Using magnetic lasso trace the couple on all sides (including the bottom.)

Using the paint brush
1. enlarge the circle to completely fill the couple
2, using the eye drop make the color black
3. set opacity to 25%

You don't have to move the brush, just left click the mouse. each time you click the couple will darken.

Great idea and thinking outside the original request!!! I would go a step further and darken more of the crowd but what you did is 100+ percent improvement!!

 

[10dedfish]

Well, Im officially painting a target upon myself and posting this pic, which is my first attempt at image manipulation with Photoshop. Please let me know what you think and I will say ahead of time that it needs work.

Matt

 

[DVC Jen]

very cool!

 

[hjd0411]

I lke it. There is something unnerving about it, which I can't put my finger on, but I like it!! Good on you for trying!! I am building up the nerve to get Photoshop - it is very expensive here, so it is very much baby steps!! I will keep an eye out for your future efforts!!!
Thanks for sharing.

Heather