Perfectly white backgrounds

[Rick0r]

Hey, what would be the best way to get perfectly white backgrounds on stock shots, ie http://www.nicholasjermyn.co.nz/ViewProduct.aspx?id=1102&Type=40&Gender=Mens

or is it just a trick; a photoshopped smart wand around the items + new white background

[David]

Best method i know of to do that is just clearcut in post processing... but there must be an easy way to use some kind of light meter to get white balance from a specific point, i.e. a white piece of paper.

[smurff]

couldnt do like a colour background like the green screen thing, then replace that colour with white in PS? i dont actually know if this is possible :P

-smurff

[The Mad Hatter Project]

I get paid to do this week in and week out, boring job but i can do it from bed in my PJs while watching TV!

Clear cutting in photoshop is the way to go; it's quick and easy too :)

[David]

hrrmmm but wouldn't that effect the light reflecting on to whatever you are shooting if the reflections showed up as green. You might want to do a little research on using light meters, and try searching for some tutorials around lighting a white background, because you will either have to clearcut your images or use lighting (like strobes) to make the background light up brighter than the subject.

[talan]

At work, we have 2 people who clearcut fulltime!!! But then again, I do work for one of NZ's largest retailers.

There are many ways to clearcut, lasso, paths, etc. All in photoshop :)

[David]

The best way to clearcut is using the Pen tool in Photoshop, if you can master that your clearcuts will be mint! (Y)

Here's a video tutorial:

ANcO0l9I5p0

[talan]

My god I really struggle with the pen tool. Definately something which takes some time to master. A bit like chopsticks :p

[PureKiwi]

I use to hate doing this :/ the other way depending on the image is to make a mask in more detail watch this ( highly dependent on your images )

cT4dEl8usDk

[The Mad Hatter Project]

Fulltime :eek:

LOVE the pen tool!! I think i would have to say it is one of my favourite but yes it can take some time to get the hang of it. It's all about thinking and acting one step ahead of yourself to get it perfect and always keep your two handles at a perfect 180 if you are doing any type of curve; only time you should break this rule is if you a wanting a point/corner.

(Y)