Can this be saved?

[RxFotoGirl]

I adore this shot of my siamese kitten jumping in the air. She looks so intense with her claws outstretched and her mouth open. The background is obviously distracting. I'd much rather have some sort of solid background, but have no idea how to do it. Any ideas how I can save this photo? THanks so much.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefferspics/2358911897/" title="Madison in the air by stephanie.turner84, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/2358911897_c26268537f.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Madison in the air" /></a>
Sorry I don't remember all the info about the pic, I took it with a digital rebel XTi on auto, ISO 100, Shutter speed was 1/125, and the flash did fire

[Nicole]

Your exif info is on Flickr and here's what it says :)

<table id="Inbox" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Exposure:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">0.017 sec (1/60)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Aperture:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">f/4</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Focal Length:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">17 mm</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ISO Speed:</td> <td>400</td></tr></tbody></table>

[RxFotoGirl]

Your exif info is on Flickr and here's what it says :)

<table id="Inbox" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Exposure:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">0.017 sec (1/60)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Aperture:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">f/4</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%">Focal Length:</td> <td style="font-size: 120%;">17 mm</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ISO Speed:</td> <td>400</td></tr></tbody></table>

LOL thanks!! I didn't know I could get that off flicker, I was all wrong wasn't I? :)

[Nicole]

lol no worries. As long as something in your editing process hasn't removed the exif, it's all on Flickr under "More Properties" :) Makes it easier for the future. :)

[Major_Small]

Your first step would probably be to isolate the cat. With a background like this, paths and masks are probably your best bet. Once you've done that, creating a decorative background is really very easy. If you'd like, I can try to isolate it for you.

[RxFotoGirl]

Your first step would probably be to isolate the cat. With a background like this, paths and masks are probably your best bet. Once you've done that, creating a decorative background is really very easy. If you'd like, I can try to isolate it for you.
THat would be great! I don't have photoshop, I only have gimp and I'm not real good at it yet.

[Major_Small]

Not a problem - It's basically industry standard to isolate against white, but the background on this shot is kinda dark, so I'm putting it on a black background. If you want to play with the background, choose the select by color tool, and select any part of the background. Then invert your selection, and copy/cut the cat out into something else. Feathering your edges when you select can help with the hard edges that'll result from doing it that way. Putting it against another dark background will also help to make it look more natural.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_shao/2359155013/" title="Cat by John Shao, on Flickr" style="border:none;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2359155013_14bfdcef30.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Cat" style="border:none;" /></a>

I would also suggest playing with the colors and density to make it look more natural - as it is the flash looks a little harsh.

Here's a little video on how to do this: clicky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNfBF2xvhaE). It's part of the "You Suck at Photoshop" series featured on the Blog. He does it in photoshop, but it can all be done in The GIMP as well.

[RxFotoGirl]

Not a problem - It's basically industry standard to isolate against white, but the background on this shot is kinda dark, so I'm putting it on a black background. If you want to play with the background, choose the select by color tool, and select any part of the background. Then invert your selection, and copy/cut the cat out into something else. Feathering your edges when you select can help with the hard edges that'll result from doing it that way. Putting it against another dark background will also help to make it look more natural.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_shao/2359155013/" title="Cat by John Shao, on Flickr" style="border:none;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2359155013_14bfdcef30.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Cat" style="border:none;" /></a>

I would also suggest playing with the colors and density to make it look more natural - as it is the flash looks a little harsh.

Here's a little video on how to do this: clicky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNfBF2xvhaE). It's part of the "You Suck at Photoshop" series featured on the Blog. He does it in photoshop, but it can all be done in The GIMP as well.

Thanks! It looks really good.

[TarheelRambler]

It's difficult to fix this without really blowing out the highlights and the lighter areas of the photo. Here's my quick attempt which is somewhat better.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarheelrambler/2362795470/" title="2358911897_c26268537f by leesc_1998, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2362795470_63c8f1a321_o.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="2358911897_c26268537f" /></a>

[JFSanders]

I would consider keeping his/her audience as well. They look great staring at their buddy.

[shutternut]

let me just say - great shot - I especially love the audience...and since no one else has mentioned it, have you ever looked at www.icanhascheezburger.com ??? this would definitely fit very well there :D cute!

[RxFotoGirl]

Thanks all!

[wanelad]

Not sure if this will work but made some changes without taking away from the scene it really needed a bit more tidying up but you will get the idea

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23428555@N03/2363869524/

[Tiberius]

Removing the background completely often makes it look photoshopped. Try darkening the background with the burn tool, or blurring it to make it less distracting.

[RxFotoGirl]

Not sure if this will work but made some changes without taking away from the scene it really needed a bit more tidying up but you will get the idea

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23428555@N03/2363869524/

for some reason I can't see your photo, maybe it's the computer I'm on.

[darrell]

for some reason I can't see your photo, maybe it's the computer I'm on.

Nope. None of us can see it.

I think with the right caption, this would be a great addition to icanhascheezburger.com.

[wannabehorsephotographer]

LOL. This pic made my day. Cats can be so crazy, can't believe you caught him midair. His buds are the icing on the cake. This should be on a birthday card or something.