Making a Wispy Hair Mask
Introduction:
This technique is suitable where one can find some means of generating a mask [or a series of partial masks and then combining them] from one or more image properties which when isolated or manipulated will provide a contrast between the hair and whatever background is present.
When the background is essentially homogeneous, this can be relatively easy. But if one is trying to do this where the background is complex [trees/shrubs, for example] and if a mask can be developed, it can become a painfully time consuming and challenging process..
Step 1: Create Mask1 that optimizes wispy hair contrast...
A: Extract the B channel from the 'Jen-hair-original' image as this provides the best BW contrast using the Monochrome transform.
Click on the image for a larger version.
B: Click on the B channel image and open the Mask-Brightness Curve tool and adjust the curve to provide the best hair end mask contrast detail ignoring mask quality over the other parts of the mask, click OK creating Mask1. Switch back and forth between Semi-transparent Mask Overlay & Mask-Only to find best contrast detail. See ScrnShot1. Slight further adjustment of Mask1 with the Brightness Curve transform may further refine the hair ends contrast detail.
Click on the images for larger versions.
C: Click on the B channel image and close it without saving.
Step 2: Create a partial mask of ears, neck, and shoulders...
A: Click on the 'Jen-hair-original' image and open the Mask-Brush tool set to 'track similar pixels' and paint a mask from the ears down. See ScrnShot2.
Click on the image for a larger version.
B: Click on Mask-Combine and Add Mask1. See ScrnShot3.
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C: Click OK creating Mask3 or ...
Step 3 [Optional]: Click on the 'Jen-hair-original' image with the Mask tool active and open the Composite-Blend transform with 50%tone Blue solid color overlay to create 'Jen-hair-original' with a new background color. See ScrnShot4.
Click on the images for larger versions.
Alternatives:
When the background is complex, it may be simpler to use a 'Gradient Outline Mask' that surrounds the subject and allows changes to be made to the background independently of the main subject, somewhat like a vignette.
A suggested 'Gradient Outline Mask' procedure may be found HERE.
In using a 'Gradient Outline Mask' with portraits, one must be subtle or the subject will very easily become deified [exhibit halos/auras]. The following is an example where a "Gradient Outline Mask" was used to isolate the background from the main subject and then the background was slightly de-emphasized. Using this same "Gradient Outline Mask' except inverted, the main subject's 0 --> 40% tone range was enhanced [shadow tone range masking and enhancement procedures are described HERE.] along with brightness, contrast, and saturation changes to the eyes, mouth, hair, and mustache.
Left image from a 'dpreview retouching forum' post.
Another alternative may be as simple as croping the image to de-emphasize background beyond the wispy hair, bringing the subject more to the fore. In this example, cropping to a 4x6 ratio with a 'rule of 3rd's' upper left power point over the right eye was done along with a mid-tone color balance adjustment and again, tone range adjustments in the shadow range and brightness, contrast, and saturation changes to the eyes. The cropping also resolved issues with the loss of detail in the backlighted hair on the right side of the image.
Left image from a 'dpreview retouching forum' post.
You are welcome to see other IMAGEs by DEN.
