I found that it is easier to mask a selection in Lightroom than in PS with subject select.
Below is a side by side example in which I’ve dropped the background exposure of 2/3 stop. While not the same as if I had shot with flash (as shadows on the model would be filled in better), it gives an idea of what the results would be. I look forward to your example with the background blurred, which - if done well - I think would look better than the example below.
The main issue I have with subject select is that it only selects the subject - whereas if creating a blur, for it to look right, would need to keep in focus the other areas to the side and below the dancer. I also felt there was a bit of a slight halo effect - not so visible on a smaller image, but definitely when viewing at 50% or bigger
Just curious, but what blur filter would you typically use in this instance ?
gheller wrote:
This is actually not true using subject select in Photoshop CC.
You can do a very good selection in a couple of clicks. After that, creating nice background blur is quite easy.
Changing exposure in just the buildings in the background without affecting other aspects of the image would take more work.
Again, I would be happy to post up an example if you would like to see.
Thanks - while I agree with the intention and desired effect, and I am less pleased with the outcome - which has a strong halo effect that I had mentioned I also encountered around the dancer.
So while it solves a problem, it creates another !
Just curious but what blur filter did you use ?
gheller wrote:
Would be much more accurate with the full res file, but here is a 3 minute rendition, creating more pleasing background blur:
When using such a low resolution file, you will definitely get that halo effect. I assure you, with the full resolution file, you would still get the pleasing background blur with none of the halo effect.
Even if there is a bit of Halo, it's quite easy to clean it up, especially using layers.
I used the new "subject select" feature in Photoshop CC, and then I believe I just used gaussian blur.
If you'd like to send me a higher-resolution file, I'd be happy to put a little bit of time into that for you to see what potential can be achieved
gheller wrote:
When using such a low resolution file, you will definitely get that halo effect. I assure you, with the full resolution file, you would still get the pleasing background blur with none of the halo effect.
Even if there is a bit of Halo, it's quite easy to clean it up, especially using layers.
I used the new "subject select" feature in Photoshop CC, and then I believe I just used gaussian blur.
If you'd like to send me a higher-resolution file, I'd be happy to put a little bit of time into that for you to see what potential can be achieved
I tried myself yesterday with a high resolution file - and it took me a good half hour to get the selection 100% even with subject select (while the first selection does do a decent job, I needed to go back over the edges with the radius tool etc to get it right - not as easy as the video tutorials show online - I imagine though I'm not an expert)
This said, would be happy to send you a higher res file if can PM me your email address.
Thanks and most appreciated for the time and effort !
Yes, the more time you spend, the better it will look, but working with layers (copy and paste the subject), you can easily use the clone tool (using content aware) and it should render really nicely.
I will give it a shot and post my results (and send you the high res file if you like)
