Tutorial for Creating a Photo Studio Backdrop in Photoshop

Creating a photo studio backdrop in Photoshop can be very simple, if you really want to do it. There are a number of options that can be applied. Of course, there are numerous ways to complete any task in Photoshop, so don't think that this is the only way. Photoshop is a very versatile graphics program, capable of producing most any effect wanted with the proper techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Photoshop

Instructions

1. Create a new document and size it to 5 by 7 inches. You have to change the size increments before you enter the amount of the increments or you will get an error. Choose "White" on "Background contents" to fill the background with white. Click "Ok." Do not put the resolution above 72 pixels per inch at this time.

2. Press "D" on your keyboard to set the foreground and background colors to black and white, respectively. Select the paint bucket tool from the left hand tool bar and click on your blank canvas to fill it with black.

3. Press "Control" and "N" to create a new layer, which will automatically be named "Layer 1." Select "Filter" from the top menu bar, then "Render," and "Clouds." Your screen should have some rather unrealistic clouds, but if you are unhappy with your particular set, simply press "Shift" and "F" to apply a new screen of clouds.

4. Click on the opacity drop down menu at the top of the layers palette. Reduce the opacity to 40 percent. This makes your clouds less defined and more blended.

5. Right click on the name "Layer 1" and choose "Merge down" to put the two layers together. Add some texture to your background by selecting "Filter," "Brush strokes," and "Spatter." A dialogue box will appear. Change the size of the spray radius to 10 and the amount of the smoothness to 5. Click "Ok." Do not click anywhere else at this time. Immediately go to the top options bar and select "Fade spatter" and lower the opacity to 50 percent.

6. Choose "Filter," "Brush strokes," and "Sprayed strokes." Change the stroke length to 12 and the spray radius to 7. Select right diagonal for the "Stroke direction," and click "Ok." Your canvas should have a painted look. Choose "Edit" from the top menu, and select "Fade sprayed strokes." Reduce the opacity to 50 percent and click "Ok."

7. Increase the resolution of your canvas. This is so that when you print it out, it prints out nicely. Select "Image" and "Image size." Change the resolution to 300 pixels. At the bottom of the dialogue box, there is an option for resampling the image. Select "Bicubic smoother" for newer versions of Photoshop, and "Bicubic" for older versions.

8. Click on the "New adjustment layer" icon located at the bottom of the layers palette, and select "Hue/Saturation." A dialogue box will appear. At this point, there are several options that you can take. You can slide the "Lightness" slider to adjust the darkness of your canvas. You can choose the "Colorize" feature and select a color from the color swatch, which will add a hint of that color to your canvas. Then, if the color isn't just right, you can adjust it via the "Saturation" slider. Get this screen to look exactly the way you want it by tweaking the various adjustments, then click "Ok."

9. Press "Control" and "S" to save your background image. This way, you will have it already available whenever you need it again.

10. Click back over to your picture of your person. Select the magic wand from the left hand tool bar and select the person's image. Click around the edges of the person, which will select the middle portion of the person's image as well. Press "Control" and "C" to send the image of the person to the clipboard. Select "Layer" and "New" to create a new layer, then click on it. Press "Control" and "V" to paste the person onto the new layer.

11. Select "V" on the keyboard to activate the move tool. Click on the person's image and drag it over to your background image. Your person should be positioned on top of all of your other layers. If not, select the person's layer and drag it up to the top of the layers palette. Position the person in the manner you wish to complete your studio backdrop portrait.

References

• Photoshop Essentials: Photoshop Tutorials: Create A Portrait Studio Background