Help! What should I do here?!

[Viridian]

Did a photoshoot of a couple cars today for a portfolio I'm making for this new job. I have this image which I like a lot but I don't like the background. Anyone have any ideas on how to change it or what I can do with it?

[ShaneS]

Zach,

I'm not a car gal but I wonder if a conversion to black and white would minimize the background and really show off the white car?

I also think that maybe a tighter crop and some cloning out of the branch in the upper left and the house mid right side might help.

Just my two cents...

[Viridian]

Good idea! Thanks!

[Stagecoach]

Zach,

B&W is a possibility and you could also retain the colour of lights & labels if so inclined. I had a very quick play of desaturating the background partially purely for practice with area selection as it's something I never do normally, it's a bit rough but here's an idea of what that does.



Grahame

[Viridian]

I get what you're going for and that looks awesome! Maybe I'll try that tomorrow!

[Stagecoach]

I get what you're going for and that looks awesome! Maybe I'll try that tomorrow!

Zach, I have have since done another having found how to select the car easily ensuring the selection is in from all the edges and it's then a very simple matter of varying the background saturation to whatever you want.

[John 2]

Zak, if you have Layers in your PP software, the alternative might be to go and capture a more suitable BG and layer the cut out onto it. Just as an example, I've used a BG that I had already used for something else but you only need to select somewhere outside that is suitable. Sides of buildings are quite good. BTW, make sure you get the light direction right in both the car image and your new BG.

[Shadowman]

The windows and windshield are less distracting in the b & w version.

[John 2]

The windows and windshield are less distracting in the b & w version.

John, I wasn't suggesting that this was a suitable BG. Just demonstrating what might be another approach. You would clearly have to find the right backdrop.

[arith]

Just had a quick go with my new Topaz Remask 4, Mmm well, I can't see why they think it is better than Remask 3 but in any case, when I take images of cars I normally just extract the car and blur the background on a gradient a little to make it stand out.

[John 2]

...at least the upgrade was free There seem to be only a few tweaks apart from the interface but the most useful to me is that you can now resize with the scroll wheel and the brush size setting is more controlled.

[Manfred M]

While the experienced Photoshopper can do wonders with an image, I would suggest by reshooting and choosing an appropriate background to avoid creating more work for yourself. Professionally done car shots are done in studios with with lots of lights and light modifiers. While this is unlikely in the cards for you, make sure that you consider an appropriate setting.

I also find all the reflections off the windows to be distracting. Pop on a polarizer and try to knock the reflections down a bit.

[Viridian]

This is what I ended up doing. I think it looks a lot better than the original

[Shadowman]

This is what I ended up doing. I think it looks a lot better than the original

Much better.

[Stagecoach]

This is what I ended up doing. I think it looks a lot better than the original

It certainly does Zach, you did a very good job with the selection.

[Viridian]

Creating all the parts to this like getting rid of the reflections and everything was one of the most challenging things ice done on Photoshop. Also one of the most rewarding

[ShaneS]

Nice work! I hate to add one more thing but is the car tilting to the left slightly? Check your grid to ensure it is level across the bumper before you call it a finished masterpiece

[Viridian]

Just pulled it up in the grid and everything actually is perfectly straight

[ShaneS]

Must be me then Zach...I still say nice work though as this type of work is a real challenge!

[Viridian]

Thanks a lot! It sure was a challenge haha hopefully adding this to my portfolio will score me this job!