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A Family Portrait

© Elaine Hessler

A Family Portrait

Uploaded: September 24, 2012

Description

My nieces and sister were spontaneously showing off the manicures my daughter gave them. Not a posed shot!

Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 400, FocalLength: 116.00 mm, Model: NIKON D5100

Comments

Elaine Hessler September 24, 2012

I have been struggling with this photo for quite a while, knowing that the dress has a distracting background. Dale was soooooo kind to tutor me on how to use the selection tools to replace the background. I spent an hour and a half with the attached picture the result. I know it is not pretty, but wanted to show you guys where I am in this completely new process. I am done with trying to replace the background, but would appreciate any comments you may have on the original post, which isn't looking too badly right now:) #1488322

Elaine Hessler September 24, 2012

Whoops, forgot to mention this is for Dale's challenge of the month! #10338146

Jeff E Jensen September 24, 2012

For your first attempt at a background swap, you did good! I can see a couple of trouble areas, but really, pretty good. This is not an easy task to master, I still struggle with it and avoid it at all costs :o)

I love the hands, Elaine, this is a great shot even if it isn't staged! #10338440

Teresa H. Hunt September 24, 2012

This is a great shot. I love the purple nail's :)

I didn't have a problem with the original background. You did pretty good for your first time with a background replacement. Like Jeff, I avoid them at all costs. #10339245

Aimee C. Eisaman September 25, 2012

I love that this was not planned...it's a great shot! I too am not bothered by the original background, but this is a great shot to practice such things on. You may want to try using a very small soft brush zoomed in tight around the edges of hands/fingers. This will keep things from looking as cut and pasted. Doing background replacements can be alot of work. Dale has alot of great tips to make the process easier. :~) #10340009

Michael Kelly level-deluxe September 25, 2012

Looks good and the original BG looked fine to me too. BG replacement can be very easy with sharp defined items like a plane against a blue sky to very very hard like hair against a busy BG. I do the former frequently but also avoid the latter as much as possible. #10340710

Peter W. Marks September 25, 2012

Elaine, what an interesting image for Dale's challenge. Works well. #10341165

Debbie E. Payne September 25, 2012

Super shot for the challenge and I'm still avoiding background replacements. I wouldn't know where to begin. This is very unique and tells me that you instinctively know when to raise that camera for a great capture. #10341355

Rita K. Connell level-classic September 25, 2012

I really like this shot, for your first try you should be very proud of yourself. replacing bg isn't and easy thing to do.

but I did not find your original back ground a distraction, I find that it went with all that finger polish. #10341399

Dale Hardin September 26, 2012

I think she did great also. She's a real trooper and worked hard on this. This particular shot is not an easy one because of the similarity of colors and the subtle shading.

Perfect image for the challenge. #10342335

Beth Spencer September 26, 2012

Awesome shot!! Looks like a fun time! There are only boys around here, so not chance of anything like this for me!! I think you did good with the bg replacement, I try also to avoid them at all costs... I always end up with an area I can't do anything with and spend way too much time... #10342900

lisa anderson September 27, 2012

I like the original background, but am also impressed with your replacement. photoshop is tricky! nice shot #10344064

Elaine Hessler October 02, 2012

Thanks for the comments. I think I am going to shy away from background replacements-they are tough!!! Nevertheless, Dale gave me a great tutorial on this, and I definitely learned a lot on using the selection tools. Dale-don't delete your tutorial-I will probably need to go back and view it again in the future!!! #10351507

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