How to get rid of wrinkles for cloth backdrop - grayed out "Content Aware Fill" button- why?

[HannahBrown593]

Hi there, I'm trying to edit photos that have a cloth backdrop that is full of wrinkles- I've just been using the stamp tool and the spot healing brush up until now. I figured there's got to be a better way. I came across this tutorial on youtube but when I go to Edit and then Fill or Content Aware Fill, mine is grayed out completely. How do I fix this? Also does anyone know how to extend the white backdrop (that is hopefully free of wrinkles) onto a dark floor so that there is no dark floor showing in an image? Thank you!

[kevin stohlmeyer]

Hi @HannahBrown593 Change your tool to the quick select tool and the option should be available.

The Content Aware feature does not run when a non-select tool is chosen.

[kevin stohlmeyer]

If you're still not seeing the menu item, try going to Edit>Fill and see if the traditional Content Aware is available there.

[Derek Cross]

Try a Gaussian blur to the background.

[Abambo]

Gaussian blur creates a soft unnatural look, but depending on the required accuracy, it is a quick and dirty solution…

[Simmer1]

Hi,

Like @kevin stohlmeyer said the Content-Aware feature works quite well as long as your selection is not too close to the model.

Also try the using Patch Tool.

Thanks,

Sim

[kevin stohlmeyer]

The other option to resolve extending the backdrop is to move your model to a new layer (masked out), then extend the background using Content Aware Scale.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/content-aware-scaling.html

[Trevor.Dennis]

I like this suggestion.

Something I use to improve skin blemishes is Camera RAW > Negative Clarity

You can also drag the Texture and DeHaze sliders to the left to furth smooth out a rough backgroound.

The example below has taken it to extrems, and with a selected area you might as well use Gaussian Blur if you want to go this far, but when you have details included that you want to keep, these tools can work for you.  Make the layer a Smart Object for full control of where it is applied, and to be able to go back in and make adjustments.

[Myra Ferguson]

After you use Content Aware Fill to fill in the backdrop, you might try Filter > Noise > Dust & Scratches to smooth out the wrinkles in the cloth if you don't get the results you want from blurring.

[Abambo]

If you are also the photographer, try to solve the problems during the takes. I use very often a black paper backdrop. I position my model such that they are standing completly on the backdrop. As the black backdrop takes in whatever dust is around, and you see here how dirty shoes are, I have my model:

• clean the soles before walking on the drop. 
• put on the shoes preferably at the very last moment.

and I have a cloth by hand, where I clean the backdrop just before taking the pictures. Kind of fixing the problems before they get on the picture. 

(yes, I know, that does not solve your problem now.)

Content aware fill works best on smaller chunks, but complete wrinkles. And it's also greyed out, when the current layer does not support content aware fill. So check that you have selected the background layer to start with. 

[HannahBrown593]

Totally agree! I'm not in charge of getting a seamless backdrop paper- my job just gave me a cloth background which therein lies the biggest issue. hopefully they get a seamless soon - it would save a lot of time in post production

[Abambo]

If you are paid on the hour, a correct backdrop will pay off by itself. But it's not only the backdrop, it's also keeping the feet on the backdrop. That's a photographer's error. You may have as much mess around as you can, but the model needs to be completely on the backdrop.

[HannahBrown593]

Absolutely! I always tell the models to try to keep their feet on the white backdrop- its just that sometimes the frame includes the floor because there is not much fabric of this backdrop on the floor- maybe 3 ft max- so it's a tight squeeze. Thanks!

[Abambo]

I see, you are blessed… 😉

[Chuck Uebele]

Frequency separation could fix that.

[Conrad C]

Agreed…and frequency separation also works on areas that are not solid white. I found a link to a useful frequency separation session from Adobe MAX, at 16 minutes in he magically brushes away wrinkles while preserving the underlying color and tone. There is a lot of study and setup that leads up to being able to do that, but it’s worth it. This link is part 2, beginners should also watch part 1. (I need to review it too!)

Frequency Separation 2.0 Part 2: Taking Images to the Next Level - Earth Oliver

https://www.adobe.com/max/2020/sessions/frequency-separation-20-part-2-taking-images-to-th-l6153b.ht...

[Chuck Uebele]

Yea, Earth's presentation was great. 

[Lumigraphics]

I'm a working pro and have dealt with this numerous times.

First of all, fix this in the studio. You can get wrinkles out with a steamer or by stretching the fabric (clip it to the stand) and misting with water from a spray bottle. Seamless does work a lot better, for plain backdrops I almost never use fabric anymore.

Second, lighting is important here. You can light the background separately from the subject, this makes it much easier to deal with problem areas on the backdrop.

Third, you can clone the backdrop onto the floor to cover that. Use frequency separation with the median filter, clone/heal tool, magic wand actually works pretty well or you can use the Select Subject tools in Photoshop to isolate your subject with a selection.

Once you get the hang of it, its actually pretty easy. But much easier to NOT have to fix in post.

[HannahBrown593]

I so agree! I hope my boss buys a seamless backdrop paper soon- it would save me a lot of time and energy! Thanks for the tips

[Chuck Uebele]

Just be aware that paper backdrops get dirty easily, and tear. Got to be careful with them too.

[kevin stohlmeyer]

@Chuck Uebele thats when you untape the front and unroll more! Paper seamless FTW.

[Abambo]

Paper backdrops are consumables. They cost money. But so does fix the backdrop in Photoshop.

OK, a final edit then looks like this:

😉

[Lumigraphics · Accepted solution]

A little trick to help find problem areas- add a Levels adjustment layer then drag the white slider way to the left for dark backgrounds, and the black slider way to the right for white backgrounds. This adds contrast and shows you problems really well. This also works similar (but much, much better) to Lightroom's visualize spots feature.