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O
onemoreusernametoremember
Participant
April 25, 2020
Question

Newbie question: Change Background colour and keep original shadow

  • April 25, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 2734 views

Hi everyone,

 

I am very new to photoshop and find myself stuck (Even after watching 1million youtube videos)

Can anyone help? (And talk in Newbie Photoshop lingo)

 

I have an image that I need to change the background colour (This I seem to be able to do) and keep the original shadows (This is what I am struggling with)

 

Here are the Screenshots of how far I have come:

 

1. Using the quick selection tool - I then 'select subject'

2. I then use the brush tool to get the best selection of the image

(no image)

3. Then I choose colour adjustment - select 'solid colour'

4. I then click on the layer mask - properties - invert.

5. I then go to layers and click on 'Multiply'

- this brings the shadows back, but also the old background colour. So I am back at what looks like the original image.

 

What am I missng here? 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks a million!

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

KShinabery212
Community Expert
KShinabery212Community Expert
Community Expert
April 25, 2020

What I recommend doing is using a soft brush and then repainting the shadow in a layer under the model.  Then you can change the opacity of that layer.  Then you can take it one step farther and use the Gausion Blur under filters to blur the shadow a little more. 

This will give you more control over creating a shadow that you want to have.  So let's say you place the model in front of a picture of a building and have her on the sidewalk.  This is the technique you would use to paint in the shadow in a layer between the photo of the building and the model. 

Let's connect on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshinabery/
Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Bojan Živković11378569Community Expert
Community Expert
April 25, 2020

You are missing part about blending mode and what Multiply is doing https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/blending-modes.html

"Multiplying any color with white leaves the color unchanged. "

 

Multiply mode will ignore white and your top layer is invisible. Try some other tutorial or technique.

O
onemoreusernametorememberAuthor
Participant
April 25, 2020

Thanks for your feedback.

 

Yes, as you can see I am very new to photoshop - so still learning the cause and effect of each application.

 

I am new to 'Blending modes'. Thank you for your link on what 'Multiply' is, it has been very helpful.

I can see why in this context using 'Multiply' won't be affective at all.

 

Would you have some advice on a certain technique/tutorial I could investigate on how to keep the original shadow, while changing the background colour? I have tried various Youtube videos (and am still trying more out) but I just 'don't get it'.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to give me some advise.

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