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Patrik Jahrner
Participant
September 12, 2023
Answered

How to replace a singe color background with a new image

  • September 12, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 498 views

I have some black and white photos where the subject is all black and the background is all white. I would like to replace the white background with some other images I have of the same size. As an example, I would like to replace the white background of this image with this chalk background. 

 

This is how it is supposed to look:

 

 

Unfortunately, the person who made this last image can no longer do so for the rest. 

I have tried using   Select > Color Range   to make a layer mask only out of the white color which somewhat works, but it turns quite grey and isn't as sharp. 

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Myra Ferguson

    Alternatively, you could invert the artwork and use a different Blend Mode.

    1. Open the background
    2. Place the artwork in a layer above the background
    3. With the artwork layer selected, go to Image > Adjustments > Invert
    4. Change the Blend Mode to Screen.

    3 replies

    Conrad_C
    Community Expert
    Conrad_CCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2023

    How close is this? It doesn’t use a mask, instead:

    • The drawing is inverted using a clipped Invert adjustment layer so that it becomes white on black. 
    • Because the drawing background is more or less a small range of tones, the drawing layer is double-clicked to open the Layer Style dialog box, then the BlendIf control is set to drop out the background tonal range, revealing the chalk layer.

    I’m not saying this might be the best way, but it was a quick way.

     

    Edit: I hadn’t seen Myra’s solution before I posted mine, but her suggestions seem to work and are even simpler!

     

      Myra Ferguson
      Community Expert
      Myra FergusonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      September 12, 2023

      Alternatively, you could invert the artwork and use a different Blend Mode.

      1. Open the background
      2. Place the artwork in a layer above the background
      3. With the artwork layer selected, go to Image > Adjustments > Invert
      4. Change the Blend Mode to Screen.
        P
        Patrik JahrnerAuthor
        Participant
        September 13, 2023

        Thank you so much! I am fairly new to Photoshop so I haven't learned what all the different buttons and options do yet. But your reply was exactly what I needed. Thank you for such a quick response! 

        Myra Ferguson
        Community Expert
        Myra FergusonCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 13, 2023

        You're very welcome. 🙂

         

        Would you mind marking either or both of my replies as a Correct Answer so that others with the same question can find the solution? Thank you!

        Myra Ferguson
        Community Expert
        Myra FergusonCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2023

        Instead of making a selection, use a Blend Mode. Here's how:

        1. Open the background
        2. Place the artwork in a layer above the background
        3. With the artwork layer selected, change the Blend Mode (the dropdown menu that by default is set to Normal in the Layers panel) to Divide.
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