silhouette a pixelated photo

[anita1390]

Best wishes to everyone!

I tried a few filters* and selections but am unable to create a smooth-vector-type silhouette so I can remove the image background. From there I want to replace all color so it's a flat-color poster-like image. Rest assued this image is public domain.

Thanks - Anita

* tried posterize, gaussian, various PS tools. 

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

»vector-type« should have been a giveaway – if you want something to appear like vector data you should consider making it vector data. 

So I recommend you either do it in Illustrator or make a Shape Layer or Vector Mask in Photoshop (depending on the output format you may need to upsample the image to get »smoother« borders because pixels are pixels). 

[anita1390]

Thank you, I'll look up how to do Vector Masks.  I'm unable to have my resampling result in smoothng the edge. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

After upsampling (which method have you tried?) you may be able to smooth out parts with filters like Median. 

[C.M.29995946n20x]

Use photo express  - it's the only photo editing I've found that has a 'negative' (blk&wht) filter - also has invert/reverse - - I will use the noir (or mono) filter - apply whichever other filter assists in sharpening up the silhouette, save it & then use the 'invert' filter.. cris, clean silhouette every time

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Use photo express  - it's the only photo editing I've found that has a 'negative' (blk&wht) filter -´

What exactly does that Filter do and what’s the interface? 

[davescm]

That does not create vectors, as requested by the original poster (3 years ago)

Dave