Lifting portraits off backgrounds advice.

[Stann]

Hello all,

I have been have problems with lifting portraits off backgrounds when trying to impose them onto a seperate background image, the main problem I'm haveing is with the hair... I cant find a way that seems to keep a high amount of detail.

I have looked around on Google for answers but I found so much information and so many ways, all that vary in outcome quality...

If anyone knows of a way to successfully do this could they please give me some guidance? or maybe a link to a tutorial, that would be great

Many thanks, Stann.

p.s I'm using Photoshop CS4

[anibawl]

Try using the pen tool with the little bending action stuff. Just zoom in MEGA and its a pain, but that's the best way IMO.

[thebulfrog]

http://www.deke.com/content/channels-masks-lesson-10-using-calculations-photoshop

Using Channels is the way to go. Find the highest contrast channel, tweak it around, and you'll get the best results. Anything else is an exercise in misery.