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02-15-2010 at 11:50 PM
Bugs_83
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How to make gray background white! A How to:

This is a super simple way to make white backgrounds white.

First of all the white background is gray because the camera meters white 18% gray. I don't think there is any way to get around it with out using studio lights to actually blow our the background. 

 First of all you can use this tutorial by MrsJeffsWife but I don't like to because as you can see it doesn't really work to get the background totally white.

Please ignore the not so great picture as I just pulled picture up of a cutie I shot yesterday, it really needs more editing then this but I just did it quick to show you.

This is the orginal image, with adjustments made in ARC: Large

This picture was done using tutorial by MrsJeffsWife: Large

 

Its better but still quit gray and the gray will show when printing.

Now on to how I do it. Is it the right way I don't know but it works!

I did this on PSE 8. I have no idea how but I am sure it can be done in other editing programs.

Step One:

Bring up the image you are going to work on

Step Two:

Select the dodge tool. Set it to what every size brush you need I like to use a large brush. Make sure you are using a soft brush.

In the range box it needs to say highlights

The exposure should be around 10%

click here to see it larger

Step Three:

Go over your white with the brush. Looks good right?

Step Four: 

Now Make a new brightness/ contrast adjustment layer, in PSE you click this little dude.

 

Your picture will now look something like this:  Large

The white part is where you did good the gray is  what still needs work.

Step Five:

On the brightness panel thingy bring the brightness all of the way done. (or for my PSE all the way to the left.)

Step Six:

Go to your layer panel and click the background layer. 

Step Seven:

Now with your doge brush go over all of the gray parts until they turn white.  You can go close to your subject but use caution so your not dodging them to much.

Step Eight: When everything is all white you can delete the brightness adjustment layer .

Step Nine: Save!!! And BAMB your done!

 Orginal and Screen layer way and my way.

 


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02-15-2010 at 11:59 PM
penguinem
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Cool! I can't wait to try this. I wonder if it would work on my 2nd sig pic to make itvlook more like a studio pic? Thanks!

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02-16-2010 at 12:02 AM
lolo5000
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Thank you for posting this!  I will have to try it:)
02-16-2010 at 12:22 AM
janineb
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Yes

::paging Punk to add this to blog list::


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02-16-2010 at 12:31 AM
Manalyzer
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Awesome! This was super easy. Thanks!
02-16-2010 at 5:31 AM
afwells
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That's pretty impressive!  Thanks for the tutorial.
 
02-16-2010 at 7:44 AM
vtkgirl77
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Thanks so much!

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02-16-2010 at 7:59 AM
ladavis
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Thank you!  This will come handy when using my white paper.  Thanks!

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02-16-2010 at 8:46 AM
Justinlove
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That is pretty much the same technique I used for the background in this picture.  Thanks for posting!



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02-16-2010 at 9:50 AM
becoming_u...
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I know MrsJeffsWife has her own big girl panties, but your comment in this post seem like a slam to her technique. 

I think it is great that you want to share something you learned.  I think you could have not dissed her in the process.  There are two separate end results you two are going for, right?  Maybe I am wrong, but it comes off that you think you are improving on what she did.


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02-16-2010 at 11:33 AM
Alex26
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02-16-2010 at 1:10 PM
Bugs_83
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I am not slamming her at all. Crap I don't even know her. What I am doing is sharing what process I use. This question is asked almost every day here, so I thought I would share what I do and what the difference is. What she does, doesn't get the backgrounds completely white. It really shows when you print as I did recently using her technique. When people ask they have always been giving a link to her blog to do it that way. That way doesn't work for me and it probably doesn't work for other people to so I thought I would share what does work for me, and maybe other people whom are frustrated with there gray backgrounds will be helped. If getting your backgrounds white using her way works for you great continue to do it, if it doesn't then here is another way to do it.


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02-16-2010 at 1:14 PM
JollyGreen...
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If you do follow this method, make sure to mask the subject back in. This method will blow out any whites the subject could be wearing (in this case, the little dress shirt) and have no detail when going to the printer for prints.

02-16-2010 at 3:22 PM
MrsJeffsWi...
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Becoming untied.. thanks for "defending" me :)

I don't mind at all, but I do have to point out that we are BOTH wrong.. my original method will probably blow your whites, although not as much as your method does. Yours looks great digitally but I'm surprised you say it prints well because no lab recommends sending files with large blown areas (areas with 255 in all channels, complete loss of color/detail) because what happens is that no ink goes on the paper, so even the texture looks different. 

The wonderful thing about photography is that no one stays static in their learning process, so there are several tutorials with methods I probably wouldn't use anymore, and this is one of them. 

Now I would probably use the quick selection tool and select everything around baby and then do a selective coloring adjustment layer and select the white from the drop down box and then adjust the black slider up. But I would keep my eye on the info palette and avoid going above 245 on any channel.

Again, I think this look is great on the web, but be warned that it may not print well, at least not at a pro lab where what you send is what you get back. If you print at costco or sams what you get back is anyone's guess :)

02-16-2010 at 4:14 PM
JollyGreen...
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If you're printing with a pro lab (e.g. NOT target or walmart) you can go as high as 254 on your channel. It's not the most desirable effect, but it won't give you any problems when printing.
02-17-2010 at 10:04 AM
becoming_u...
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MrsJeffsWife2B:

Becoming untied.. thanks for "defending" me :)

I don't mind at all, but I do have to point out that we are BOTH wrong.. my original method will probably blow your whites, although not as much as your method does. Yours looks great digitally but I'm surprised you say it prints well because no lab recommends sending files with large blown areas (areas with 255 in all channels, complete loss of color/detail) because what happens is that no ink goes on the paper, so even the texture looks different. 

The wonderful thing about photography is that no one stays static in their learning process, so there are several tutorials with methods I probably wouldn't use anymore, and this is one of them. 

Now I would probably use the quick selection tool and select everything around baby and then do a selective coloring adjustment layer and select the white from the drop down box and then adjust the black slider up. But I would keep my eye on the info palette and avoid going above 245 on any channel.

Again, I think this look is great on the web, but be warned that it may not print well, at least not at a pro lab where what you send is what you get back. If you print at costco or sams what you get back is anyone's guess :)

Mrs.JeffsWife - No problem.  I know you didn't need it.  From your reply above (and your website) you can obviously express yourself quite nicely and get your point across. 

bugs_83 -  I just didn't think it necessary to unfavorably critique Mrs.Jeffswife technique while touting your own discovery.  I get that you were unhappy with your results and you thought you found something better and wanted to share it.  It just seemed like you were discrediting her and it wasn't addressed directly to her, or privately to her.  I guess I am the only one that was rubbed wrong by your comment - no biggie. 

Oh, and I haven't used her tutorial because I barely edit my photos - not enough time to play with it!  


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02-24-2010 at 9:34 PM
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