Selections Using theMagic Wand Tool, anddepth of field

  • Goal:

Will use this exercise to illustrate depth of field: When you focus on a subject, part of the area in front of and behind the subject will also be in focus. The selected aperture (f5.6, for example) determines the depth of field (what’s in focus)

We normally want the area behind and, perhaps, in front of a person to be blurred. However, for a landscape, we want the entire picture to be in focus.

Recall: Magic Wand, selects based on colors

  • Download or openscarecrow.jpg and farmhouse.jpg
  • Save in InClass>Photoshop/Images
  • Want to select the scarecrow and move it onto the farmhouse picture…One approach to selecting :
  • Select background, and then
  • Select>Inverse…

Let’s go.

  • First create new layers based on the two background layers
  • Name the new layersFarmhouseandScarecrow
  • Switch to Scarecrow image. We’ll work on that layer first
  • Select the Magic Wand tool
  • Anti-Aliasing—smooths edges of selection
  • Contiguous – Only select image parts that touch the point you click
  • Anti-Alias on, Contiguous to yes--defaults

Now, click on the blue sky

  • It doesn’t select all of it!

  • Shift-Click in areas that weren’t selected…remember, Shift-click adds to the selection (Alt-click subtracts)
  • Works pretty well
  • Shift Clickseveral areas inside his right “hand”, they are “non contiguous”

What’s selected?

  • We selected the Sky, not the scarecrow!
  • Really want the scarecrow
  • Select>Inverse

Now should see:

  • Choose Refine Edge…refine our selection

  • Refine Edge helps you select tricky backgrounds and fine details (soft edges and hair)
  • View Mode; Try on White, try overlay
  • Edge Detection. Here you need a small radius number, try smart radius
  • Adjust Edge. How about experimenting what works for you?
  • Smoothsetting,. try 31
  • Contrast 5
  • Do not choose to decontaminate colors

Current settings

  • Fourth and last, is how we save the photo we worked on (Output to), and you’ll have a list to choose from, choose Selection

This is a great tool when you want to select hair or fur: Just make a general selection, then jump into Refine Edges.

Composite the two Images

  • Select the Move tool
  • Drag the selected scarecrow to the farmhouse image, a Layer 1 is created

  • Rename Layer 1 as Scarecrow
  • Close the original scarecrow image/document
  • Zoom in to see fringe around scarecrow:

Note: Refine edge should have defringed already

  • Defringe the Scarecrow layer
  • Layer>Matting>Defringe by 5 pixels
  • UseMagic Eraser with a small brush sizeto erase remaining blue areas of the scarecrow.… The barnyard should appear as we remove portions of the scarecrow. just click in area you want to erase…don’t need to brush:
  • If this were a real photo, the background would be out of focus, due toDepth of Field…

Adding Blur

Notice we have two layers. We need to blur the farmhouse(Depth of field)

  • Select the Farmhouse layer
  • Filter>Blur>Lens Blur
  • In the dialog box that opens, try changing the radius and the effect gets more pronounced.
  • I set my radius to 16
  • Click OK

Add Text

Near top of Farmhouselayer type “My Farm Scene”, yellow text, Times new Roman, 30 points

Is like Illustrator:

  • Window>Character, for example
  • Add a drop shadow to the text layer (Click fx)and then choose bevel and emboss

Finally, warp the text

  • Choose the WarpText icon on Control Panel
  • Try variations: I tried Arc Upper
  • Save as MagicWandExample.psd
  • Close all open documents

Red Eyeimage (reflection of blood in retina)

  • Find the red eye tool (Under the healing brush tool)
  • Click once on the eye (may need to zoom in if a real photograph)
  • Note: The control bar has two options that you might find useful—pupil size and darken amount
  • Pupil size selects more of the red area
  • Darken determines the color that replaces the red eye

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Photoshop SelectionsPage 1