In the video below I’ll demonstrate how using these Digital Backgrounds and Props in Photoshop can be super simple.

The Digital Background we used in this video is available in our Digital Creations Club.
Check it out…Here!

Click Here to check out our NPB Digital Creations Club.

Here’s an example of the finished portrait. Great Job Carol!

]]> http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/337/digital-photography-tips-using-photoshop-and-digital-backgrounds/feed/ 17 http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/313/how-to-add-multiple-digital-backgrounds-to-your-workflow-photoshop-tutorial/ http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/313/how-to-add-multiple-digital-backgrounds-to-your-workflow-photoshop-tutorial/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:02:09 +0000 NewPortraitBiz http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/?p=313 This is a follow up video to my blog post titled “Learn How To Use Digital Photography Backgrounds – Photoshop Tutorial“.

I received some questions on how to add Digital Backgrounds to the WorkFlow template.

Watch the video below to to see the actual process.

Click Here to check out our Digital Creations Club!

As always…leave your comments below and let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

We would all like an easier and faster way to work in our business. If you want to speed up your WorkFlow and be more productive…Watch the video below.

These Digital Backgrounds are part of our New “Urban Graffiti Collection Vol.1″.

Click Here to see more of our Digital Creations!

Basically a Cover-Up layer is an additional layer that covers the front of the prop in the Digital Creation. We have been using these in our own business and have recently started including them with our Digital Backgrounds and Prop Sets.

Watch the video to understand how these Cover-Up layers are created and work.

If you would like to see more of our Digital Creations…Click Here!

As always…leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

Enjoy!

In this video, I walk you through a simple workflow process for using Digital Backgrounds And Props in Adobe Photoshop. There a many methods and techniques to create cut outs in Photoshop, but this is one of the easier methods.

Adding Digital Backgrounds and Props to your photography business will allow you to offer your clients more choices and not have it cost you a small fortune. Your portrait studio won’t have to store all the backgrounds and props anymore. You’ll just need a bigger hard drive on your computer.

Photography Business Opportunity (No Studio Required)

That’s Right!

You could actually get started without a studio at all using this method. Just go on location with your camera, basic lighting, white background and edit your pictures at your home office. Follow up with a proofing session of the clients portraits. Then….Make Some Sales!

Keep in mind that this does take practice, but if you follow this video and Take Action…you’ll be on your way.

Happy Shooting!

Scott

P.S.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

]]> http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/188/how-to-remove-a-background-for-digital-backgrounds-and-props-using-photoshop/feed/ 2 http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/87/how-to-use-digital-backgrounds-and-props-in-your-photography-studio/ http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/87/how-to-use-digital-backgrounds-and-props-in-your-photography-studio/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:32:13 +0000 NewPortraitBiz http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/?p=87 One of the most common question I get asked a lot is…”How much will it cost to start a photography business?” or “How can I get started with the least upfront expense?”.

The truth is that it could cost you $1,000′s if you were to create a complete studio. You would have to invest in a large studio space, special canvas and muslin backgrounds, custom sets, unique props and the list goes on and on.

But…I have some good news that most photographers won’t talk about. It’s something called Digital Props and Backgrounds. Let me explain!

Digital Props and Backgrounds are becoming increasingly popular in many photography markets. This has helped beginners start a photography business with very little start up cost. Now you can look like you have a full size studio without spending $1,000′s of dollars on equipment. I’ve put together a step by step guide of what you will need to use this concept and get professional results every time.

1. White seamless background — You can find white vinyl in 60″ widths at most craft stores very inexpensively. I would recommend 5ft wide by 10 ft long to start.

2. External Flash or Soft Box — You will need an external flash that attaches to your camera’s hot shoe that can be bounced off a side wall or ceiling. This will give you a softer light and eliminate shadows. This is critical to getting a clean line around your subject when cutting out and selecting in Photoshop. (I’ll talk about this in a minute) If you want to get fancy, use a Soft Box on a stand. Position your Soft Box on the right side facing your subject at a 45 degree angle. This is the set up most professional studios use for their portraits.

3. Bounce Card (Reflector) — Use a 2×4 ft piece of poster board as a bounce card on the opposite side of your flash or Soft Box. This will help fill in any shadows you may have on the opposite side. You can also cover this with aluminum foil to give it more of a reflective finish.

Note: This will be a harsher light.

4. (Important) Distance From Background – It’s always best to have your subject as far from the background as possible. The minimum should be 4 to 6 ft. This will give you a shallow depth of field and no shadows casting on the background.

5. Photoshop (Selection) — You will need a version of Photoshop to use digital backgrounds and props properly. Photoshop Elements will work just as well as the expensive full versions. There are many ways to cut out your subjects using Photoshop, but the easiest way is the Magic Wand tool. (As long as you did the steps above) Select the tool and set the tolerance to 50. The higher the number the more aggressive the selection will be. Click anywhere on the white background. Photoshop will find the lines and set the selection. Play with the tolerance until you get a clean selection. Once you see the marching ants, go to (Select) and choose (Feather) and set this at 1 or 2 pixels. This will soften your edge making it look more realistic.

6. Digital Backgrounds and Props — Now open your Digital Prop or Background. Click on your image with your subject and drag the cut out layer into your Digital Background or Prop. Position it so it looks proportioned and when your happy with the results, click on (Layer – Flatten Image).

Now Save your image as a new file, not overwriting your original. After you complete these steps over and over again, you will develop a workflow that can be done in just a few minutes. There you have it. Following these suggestions I have given you will greatly improve your digital background and prop portraiture. Your portraits will look like they were created in a full-sized studio allowing you to charge studio prices.

As always leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you

Scott

Watch the video below to learn how!

Click Here to learn more about our Digital Creations Club.

Click Here to visit the Ebay listing for more details on our Digital Creations.

It’s…the Senior Photography market. I know people that are concentrating on just this one market alone and being very successful at it.

I wanted to show you a technique that you can use right now using Digital Backgrounds. This will get you noticed and make you stand out from the crowd.

The senior kids are gonna love it! Once you do a few of these shots…the word will travel fast.

Enjoy the video

Scott

P.S.
Remember to leave your comments below and let me know what you think.

Here’s a link to our Club that I refer to in the video.

Enjoy!