Hi all,
I'm just getting back into art after a long absence - but i cannot remember how to remove a background?  I have Photoshop 7 and photoshop CS3 (JUST got it) - can anyone point me towards some good tutorials on this?

Thanks so very much everyone!

Suzi

Depends on the backgorund and the subject..can you post an image
Eddie

sure - i just need to find some tutorials on this i think

Nothing quite like picking yourself a real hard task.
Getting the fur is going to be difficult to say the least.
Go onto Youtube and type in things like removing backgrounds photoshop and variations of it.
There are some very good ( and crap ) tutorials on there.
If this dosent help ask again.There are ways but you have chosen a real hard one.
Eddie

I'll agree with the above.  I once and only once tried to remove a background from a particularly fuzzy teddybear.  Trying to not lose fur or end up with blue spots around the cat is going to be a HUGE challenge.
My first thought after trying it was "Maybe next time I'll take a picture of a ball and do this. ;)

I couldn't resist the challenge of this photo. So I downloaded it and used the Background Eraser in CS3 to remove the background. I think the result is not bad. I would like your permission to post this photo to my website. If you want instruction Katrin Eismann and her books will give you a good grounding in photo correction.

Dan

there is a cheap filter called topaz remask 2 which I find quite useful. You can download a free trial off topaz's website

Sprryte,

For best results you also need to send us the new background you want to use..!

I now cheat and use Fluid-Mask. Great plugin - otherwise I used to do a combo of things and then re-pain fine wispy hair and fur back on top.

First thing I always did, create a Layer Mask (the reason for this is further editing if you went too far, or not enough yet).

Select> Color Range (on the main image itself - not the mask) - then select the main color you want to mask out. Hold SHIFT and you can select more variations of other colors throughout the image. Paint black on the Mask and it disappears - keeping in mind that your selection is bound to include part of your subject (in this case, it's bound to have selected his mouth and eyes, and even the tail as well - get it?).

Deselect, then get out paint brushes that are Spatter, or related in structure, vary their sizes as you paint further on the Mask. Change the opacity of the brush to something like 30% and you can layer your strokes. Keep your finger on the "x" button so you can switch quickly between black and white to hide/show the image.

And, as I stated above, it's usually not exactly realistic, or cutting off in awkward ways, or the ends are showing too much color through them, so I end up painting on a new layer above what I want the hair to be.

You might also want to create ANOTHER layer between your subject and the end hair you've painted, and change the Layer Mode to Color - paint the color of the end hairs (soft round brush at maybe 30-50% opacity) the color you want it so any "blue" showing through will get cancelled out.

Hope this helps-

-Lew