BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Ron Pruss
 

Inserting another person into a group photo


I want to insert my son in law into a family group photo. He is currently serving in the army in Afdganistan and could not be here for the photo. How can I insert him in the photo using Photoshop CS2. He needs to be placed behind others in the photo. (As in the only photo I have to use, he has no legs) I'm a newbie at this, so I would need step by step instructions. Or if I could be pointed to a source of such instructions.
Thanks much,
Ron Pruss


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December 12, 2006

 

Jenny D
  Hi Ron, this is really quite easy! I don't have Photoshop CS2, but I do have Photoshop elements 3. I use a book by Scott Kelby... it is called "Down & Dirty tricks". Look up any books by him... they are so easy to work with and figure out!! He will walk you step by step on how to do this. Hope that helps!
JD~


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December 12, 2006

 

Dan E.
  Hi Ron, I agree with JD it is easy to do. I am very new to all of this and I was able to figure it out and have added and removed people and items. All my teaching has been trial and error and some help from my wife. I also use Photo Elements 3


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December 12, 2006

 

Ron Pruss
  Thanks to all of you. I appreciate your help a lot. I will get Scott Kelby's book and go from there. I knew it could be done, just had to find the way to do it. You've shown me the way.
Thanks again,

Ron


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December 13, 2006

 

A C
  umm ... it is harder than you think.

First off, is the lighting at all similar. If the lighting is different for the two pictures it will look completely fake. I've had family members ask me to add people to their group photos when the lighting was completely off. Yikes. Not going to happen.

So for the future, plan the two photos around eachother the best you can.

And even when you do have consistent lighting (like two pictures from the same portrait session) it can be tough. Follow the instructions step by step from the book and that should help quite a bit. Just don't expect magic your first time.

Sorry, I don't want to rain an anyone's parade ... I'm just being completely honest.


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December 13, 2006

 

Ron Pruss
  Hi to all,
I want to thank everyone who responded to my question. I did buy the book recommended by JD. It helped. Once I figured it out, it turned out to be quite easy. I was able to insert him into several photos without to much effort.

Thanks again,

Ron P


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February 16, 2007

 

Jenny D
  Thanks for the update, Ron. I'm glad it turned out well. I was wondering if you were able to do it :o)


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February 16, 2007

 

Diane Dupuis
  Glad it worked! Can we see? before and after?


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February 16, 2007

 

Ron Pruss
  Hi Diane,
I'll talk to my kids and see if they are agreeable with having their photos out on the net. I do want to upload the photos, but feel I should get their permission first.
Maybe in a few days.

Ron P


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February 17, 2007

 

Who Me?
  don't believe W.S., he says everything is hard, maybe for him it is. If have CS learning center DVDS and Deke makes it so simple and you can follow along.


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February 17, 2007

 

Who Me?
  when I follow along in a how-to PS book or watch a DVD and do it step by step I have had no problems.

"I'll talk to my kids and see if they are agreeable with having their photos out on the net."

Ron you need permission from your kids? Good way to bring up some LIBs

Do you need permission from your wife for bedroom activities too!


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February 17, 2007

 

Mike Rubin
  Derek and W.Smith, If you don't agree with each other thats OK ,but if you must be sarcastic,(or worse) please take it outside. Some here may not see it as humor or good natured.


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February 17, 2007

 

Ron Pruss
 
 
 
Whoa John, Didn't expect that kinda responce. Maybe I should have made it clear that my kids are adults in their 40's with kids. They have every right to their's and their kids privacy. You just never know who's lerking on the web these days. In any case they have no objections. So for Diane, I'm uploading before and after.

Ron


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February 19, 2007

 

Ron Pruss
 
 
 
Here's the photos.


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February 19, 2007

 

Heather M. Wareham
  I think if you have another picture of him with out such a tan and with no sun glasses and cap. Everyone seem to flow he stand out alot. Other then that it seem to be ok.


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February 19, 2007

 

Who Me?
  OK that is funny, I had my first laugh today. Well, the only way this will work is if everyone goes and gets a tan and wears sunglasses and hats. Notice also the hallo affect.


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February 19, 2007

 

Ron Pruss
  Hi Heather,
Unfortunately it's the only photo I had to work with. If he looks a bit tall, compared to the rest of us, that's because he is 6' 4".


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February 19, 2007

 

Diane Dupuis
  Thanks for posting the before and after Ron.
It's very hard when you don't have the same lighting.
We photographers get to be pretty picky about this stuff - but most regular people won't mind...
Good for you for trying!


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February 19, 2007

 
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