popcorn
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 227
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Post by popcorn on Oct 16, 2021 22:14:01 GMT
Hi,
One of the major time consumer during my processing, mainly of birds, is getting selections including the fine feathers on the edges of the image.
I have spent a fortune on on-line courses for Elements 2018 and earlier.
I use "Refine Edge" and "Refined selection brush tool" but without the same sort of results that are obtained in the tutorials.
Having used the mask view when processing, I always check to see what the "marching ants look like.
They are nearly always more of a mess than the selections I do using the other "manual" selection tools which take so much time.
Getting the fine edge detail is one of the "must haves" in producing acceptable bird images.
I attach two images taken recently. where I failed to get the detail I need.
They are both jpg.
I would have liked to how you what sort of problems I am having but the .psd images are 92MB.
I am hoping that you may have some advice for me.
I am sure it would make things much easier if I could send the .psd with all the the layers but the image transfer program used in the forum will not accept .pdf or files of that size.
Is there any way that I can reduce the size and retain the layers?
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popcorn
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 227
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Post by popcorn on Oct 16, 2021 22:18:26 GMT
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 16, 2021 23:34:27 GMT
One of the major time consumer during my processing, mainly of birds, is getting selections including the fine feathers on the edges of the image. I use "Refine Edge" and "Refined selection brush tool" but without the same sort of results that are obtained in the tutorials. Having used the mask view when processing, I always check to see what the "marching ants look like. They are nearly always more of a mess than the selections I do using the other "manual" selection tools which take so much time. I am hoping that you may have some advice for me. Hi popcorn, The Refine Edge in your Elements version (PSE 2018) is a new "deluxe" one brought over from Photoshop back in PSE 11. This Refine Edge makes it easier to get the fine details in your selections (fur, flyaway hair, feathers). As a rule of thumb, to fine-tune your selection, you need to remove the jagged edges around your selection (Smooth slider); soften the edges (Feather); and adjust the size of the selection (Shift Edge). When I first got PSE 11, I used the tutorials below to learn how to use this new Refine Edge. They are about fine-tuning hair selections but the suggestions/steps will also apply to feather selections. (I myself follow them when tackling feathers.)Making Killer Selections in Photoshop Elements 11 (by Matt Kloskowski) Selecting Fine Detail Using Refine Edge with Photoshop Elements 11 (Bob Gager, Adobe). As a side note,. . . I find it hard to use the Marching Ants View Mode; I favor the Black & White one instead. |
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Post by hmca on Oct 16, 2021 23:39:02 GMT
I would have liked to how you what sort of problems I am having but the .psd images are 92MB. I am sure it would make things much easier if I could send the .psd with all the the layers but the image transfer program used in the forum will not accept .pdf or files of that size. Is there any way that I can reduce the size and retain the layers? Popcorn, Are you interested in having members try to see what they could do with your images? We have a new board that would allow them to work on your images if you are interested. Members have sent me images for the RAW challenge using We Transfer. You can use it for free and send files up to 2 GB. If this is something you would like to do let me know and I will help you with the details. |
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Post by srmoment on Oct 17, 2021 2:56:27 GMT
I am very interested in this thread too as I cannot seem to use Element's selections to select feathers/fur to the fine detail that I want. I use the select subject tool first, go into refine edge and move all the sliders every which way, still not achieving the outline I am looking for. I then end up doing a lot of positive/negative refining of the selection with the polygonal lasso tool. At the end of the day, I have a selection that will stand on its own against another background without missing feathers/fur/body or partial halos. I would love to be able to do selections more quickly! I have watched tutorials, but they seem to have a clear subject against a simple background which make the selections pretty easy. ...case in point.....this peacock was incredibly hard to select..... original raw file:  final peacock selection showing against black background:  |
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Post by Tpgettys on Oct 17, 2021 4:39:29 GMT
I am sure it would make things much easier if I could send the .psd with all the the layers but the image transfer program used in the forum will not accept .pdf or files of that size. Is there any way that I can reduce the size and retain the layers? Unfortunately the problem is the file format (PSD), not the size of the file. If you are OK with sharing the original files and allowing others to share their results, you are encouraged to post this query in the new Member-to-Member Photo Advice board. This board was established very recently for this exact purpose. |
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 17, 2021 5:14:57 GMT
I am very interested in this thread too as I cannot seem to use Element's selections to select feathers/fur to the fine detail that I want. I use the select subject tool first, go into refine edge and move all the sliders every which way, still not achieving the outline I am looking for. I then end up doing a lot of positive/negative refining of the selection with the polygonal lasso tool. At the end of the day, I have a selection that will stand on its own against another background without missing feathers/fur/body or partial halos. I would love to be able to do selections more quickly! Pat, you did a great job with the peacock. That's quite an intricate selection! This issue usually pops up in webinars on the topic of selections and Refine Edge. Here are some notes I made of the suggestions given. - Crop your image to get rid of most of the background before making your selection. - As a starting point, adjust these Refine Edge sliders as follows -- Smooth = 10, Feather = 1, Shift Edge = -5. - Output your selection to "New Layer with Layer Mask". - To remove halos around your selection edges when you place it on a new background, try this trick with the Brush Tool. Advanced selection techniques with layer masks |
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popcorn
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 227
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Post by popcorn on Oct 17, 2021 17:30:59 GMT
HiSepiana, hmca & Tpgettys,
I will have a look at the Tutorials and yes I am interested in using the new board and I use WeTransfer often.
I will post these on the Member to Member board.
How do I get to say yes tp "open to Constructive criticism "?
srmoment, I am so happy to find that I am not alone!! I am not familiar with with "select subject tool".
Please enlighten me!
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Post by hmca on Oct 17, 2021 17:44:30 GMT
Popcorn to include "Open to Constructive Criticism", You need to go to your profile, click edit profile on the right, click personal, near the bottom you will see the option for constructive criticism. Click and be sure to save at the bottom before closing the window.  |
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Post by Sepiana on Oct 17, 2021 18:32:03 GMT
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popcorn
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 227
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Post by popcorn on Oct 17, 2021 20:26:44 GMT
Thanks,
That makes sense as I am still using 2018
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popcorn
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 227
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Post by popcorn on Oct 18, 2021 18:02:58 GMT
Hi hmca,
I don't seem able to find the member to member board?
Also not sure to whom the WeTranfer should be addressed.
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Post by hmca on Oct 18, 2021 18:15:54 GMT
Popcorn, The Member to Member board can be found here, under the Show Your Work Bd. As it is new it only has one thread so far, Peacock in the Fog. Click Create Thread in the upper right to start a new post. I am sending you a PM in regard to We Transfer. You can access personal messages by clicking Messages on the top bar.  |
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