When it comes to retouching photos, backgrounds can be tricky. Whether you're working with a complex set or a worn-out backdrop, maintaining the natural elements while cleaning it up is essential.
Coming to you from Prince Meyson, this detailed video walks through retouching techniques, focusing on how to clean up a background effectively without losing critical shadow details. Meyson uses a photograph of a model shot on a cyc wall. These walls, often made of wood, tend to get scratched and worn out over time, so cleaning them up while preserving the overall look of the shot is a challenge. He begins by duplicating the background layer and using generative fill to patch up areas quickly. While it doesn’t provide perfect results, it’s a great starting point for speeding up the process.
The next step Meyson explains is more manual but necessary for achieving a polished look. After using the generative fill, he switches to the patch tool for more precise editing. The patch tool allows you to select and clean up specific areas of the image without blurring or merging the background too much. Meyson highlights that it's important to keep the original lines and shadows intact, especially around objects like chairs or the subject’s body. This approach ensures that the background remains smooth but natural.
Another method Meyson covers is using the median filter to smooth out textures while maintaining lines in the backdrop. He explains that when using median, it’s crucial to find the right balance in the radius setting based on your image’s resolution. Too high, and the image will lose important detail. Too low, and the textures won’t smooth out properly. By applying the filter selectively with a layer mask and a low-flow brush, you can target specific areas, like the floor or walls, while leaving other parts of the image untouched.
One of the final steps Meyson demonstrates involves adding texture back into the image. After smoothing out the background, the image can sometimes look too clean or artificial. To fix this, Meyson adds a subtle grain using the Camera Raw filter, giving the background a natural texture. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Meyson.
If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.
