fade to transparent with no background

[Alisha28741905mzgv]

I'm trying to do the dog headshot that fades into transparent into the background. How do I accomplish this?

[Greg_S.]

Hi Alisha.  There are several ways to do this.  Here is one:

• Create a white layer behind your dog image.
• Create a mask for the dog layer.
• Type D to make the foreground color white and the background black
• Use the Gradient tool and select the first template gradient (foreground to background)
• In the Radiant tool bar options, select Radial

• Click in the mask thumbnail to select the mask
• In the main edit window, drag a line from the middle of the dog outward.
• Use a soft brush with a lower opacity (maybe 50%) to clean up the mask

[Alisha28741905mzgv]

Thank you, this worked perfectly. The first time I used to history tool to restore the dog's face. When attempting to duplicate these steps, I am trying to use that history tool again and it's restoring it to the white background. Do you know how to get it to restore to the photo? Basically, the gradient is too transparent, I only need the fading at the bottom by the neck.

I'm attaching cricket 1 and cricket 2, the second is just showing what the history tool is doing.

[Greg_S.]

@Alisha28741905mzgv, Photoshop Elements does not have a History Brush tool.  Are you using Photoshop CC?

Rather than use the History Brush, I suggested using a soft regular brush with a 50 percent opacity to retain some of the fade, if that is what you want. 

Your screnshots indicate that you are using a transparent background rather than a white one.  Is that what you want?

Your screenshots also indicate that you are painting on the image itself rather than on the mask.

I'm going to move your post to the Photoshop Ecosystem forum where you will get more thorough advice about using Photoshop CC for your project. 

Finally, it looks like your Cricket is related to my Pooch.  😄

[jane-e]

Your screnshots indicate that you are using a transparent background rather than a white one.  Is that what you want?

Your screenshots also indicate that you are painting on the image itself rather than on the mask.

By @Greg_S.

The steps are the same in Photoshop as they are in PSE (welcome to our forum Greg!)

@Alisha28741905mzgv 

Show a screenshot of your entire workspace including the Layers panel (Window menu).

As Greg said:

• create a second layer that is white (underneath the dog)
• paint your gradient on the mask (non-desructive), never on the image which is destructive)

Jane

[Alisha28741905mzgv]

Ultimately yes I do want the background transparent, but I have been working with a white background. I also think I am working on a mask and not painting directly onto the photo.

[jane-e]

Hi @Alisha28741905mzgv 

I'm not sure what you did with the Color Replacement tool, but you are doing the right thing by using the mask (non-destructive). If you make a mistake you can draw a new gradient on the mask or paint with white or black and a soft brush. Are you happy with it now?

Jane

[Alisha28741905mzgv]

No, my question still isn't answered. Her head is too transparent. I need it solid, need the neck to fade. Why did the history tool work the first time to restore the original color and it won't work the second time?

[jane-e]

@Alisha28741905mzgv 

Try doing a linear gradient on the mask instead of a radial gradient. All the fading will be at the bottom.

• You can start and stop before and after the image boundries.
• Hold Shift to keep a 90° angle
• If you don't like it, simply keep repeating until you do

Jane

[jane-e]

No, my question still isn't answered. Her head is too transparent. I need it solid, need the neck to fade.

By @Alisha28741905mzgv

As second option is this:

If you are happy with the neck, switch to the Brush tool and use black to paint on the mask across the head.

Jane

[Rob_Cullen]

So many ways to do!

My simplistic approach might be to-

1) use the 'Subject' Selection tool to select only the dog

2) [Ctrl+J] to copy the selection to another layer (ie. dog on transparency)

3) Hide the original background layer

3) Use a soft Erase Brush on the 'copy' layer to brush away unwanted areas, or preferably use a mask to black-hide/white-show.

[jane-e]

Use a soft Erase Brush on the 'copy' layer to brush away unwanted areas

By @Rob_Cullen

Using the eraser tool as in your screen shot is destructive editing. Painting and/or using a gradient on the mask as Alisha is already doing is non-destructive and a best practice.