use theclone stamp, but with a low opacity and with a very soft brush. when you're done, it doesn't have to look perfect, because that's where the Healing Brush comes in handy (only available in newer (6 & 7 I think) versions of PS. Also, think about not using the same background at all, and instead use a new one, and then working on doing better cutting instead. Most people I know use the Polygonal Lasso for cutting stuff free - it's OK, but if you want stuff to look REALLY good, use a mask instead. Basically, use the poly lasso to make a rouch outline of the subject, but DON'T get too close to the subject itself. Then, press the Q button (Q is for Quickmask) and watch the area around the selection turn red. Now, with your brush, you can 'paint on' the selection. Notice that your two colors on the toolbar (foreground and background) switch from whatever they were to black and white. Basically, black ADDS to the selection, and white SUBTRACTS. Use the brush to paint all the way close to the subject, and when you're done, just press the Q button again and watch the wonders of masking! Be sure not to use a soft edge brush though, just a regular one (although not a pencil, that will be too coarse, we're using this tecnique for the softness). Now you have a perfect selection of your subject, and you can paste it onto the new background. If you didn't get it close enough (colored edges still showing around subject) just zoom a bunch and work some details with the eraser. Finally, be sure to play with Levels and Color Balance to make your subject match the new background as good as possible.
whew. =)
(whew. =)
tofukitten is a consumer whore! =D,
Thu 10 Jul 2003, 13:31,
archived)