how to "paste" onto background & need background pic?

[BLBCB]

My family and I always take a family picture by the Walt & Mickey statue in front of Cinderella's castle in MK. We have just returned from a trip, and for some reason forgot to take the picture. I understand that there is some way to "paste" our family onto a background digitally, and make it look like it was taken that way. I have two basic questions:

1. How is this done?

2. Where would I find a picture of the statue with the castle in the background (with the 50th decorations on it) that I could make it look like we are actually in front of it?

Thanks so much

 

[fitzperry]

1. Depends to some extent on your photo editing software, but basically you use a "tool" (in Photoshop Elements, I like the magnetic lasso) to select the area you want to cut out. Then you just cut and paste the selection into the other photo. The resolution should be the same on the two photos, but you may still need to resize the selection to make it fit the new background. Trying to make it "look like it was taken that way" will be difficult due to differences in lighting, etc. In fact, if I were doing that, I'd probably make us really big or something so it was obvious that it was Photoshopped and go for comic value instead of trying to make it look genuine and never getting to the point where I was satisfied with it.

2. I have pictures of the castle with the decorations and some close-up shots of the statue, but nothing that shows the statue with a good view of the castle in the background. You could do a google image search and see what you come up with.

Good luck!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Can you post a link to the full size file of the family pic you wish to use?
And a link or picture to the previous years photos so we can see what the background looked like.
Actualy a link to the full size file of one of the previous years photos would make the best background. Were they digital photos in the past? (I guess I should ask that first)
Mikeeee

 

[MOmousefan]

Depending on the complexity of your image, it is not that hard to merge or "paste' more than one picture.
I am learning to use Photoshop and it's layers, but for now I use Microsoft PhotoDraw that came with Office Premium. I use the cutout option and edge finder, and cutout the image. In this case it is a picture taken in Ice Station Cool.

I want to paste this to a picture of the Castle taken during Wishes.

I then place the cutout image where I want it to be on the Castle image and save the new picture.

This was simple job, but with practice and patience you can add any number of images. Have Fun!!