Need blending/layer mask help in PSCS

[andyapc]

I'm attaching a screenshot of a blended layout that I need help with. Basically, I have 2 questions:

1) How do I get rid of the splotches on my bil's face? They're coming from the 2 backgrounds. I set the blending mode on my picture/mask layer to "overlay" and then I duplicated by picture/mask on a higher layer - the blending mode on that layer is normal. I've tried using the eraser tool on the background layers but it's not working. I even tried adding a layer mask to the backgrounds and painting on the face but for some reason, everywhere I paint, it turns grey.

2) I can't seem to move my picture layer. I click on the move tool but there are no bounding boxes on my picture so I can't enlarge it. When I try to move it, I think only my mask is moving??? Or maybe it's my picture that's moving and my mask is staying in place??? Either way, the entire layer is not moving. Is it not possible to move a layer once a mask has been applied?

Thanks so much for any help!

[Starling]

Are you aware that the opacity on your top layer is very low? That is why your background is showing through. If you make it more opaque you won't have blotches on the photo of the bride and groom.

Why are you using a layer masque? I understand why you might want to remove the photo of the bride and groom from its original background. The only photo I have of myself and my husband in our wedding clothes was taken against the very ugly bedroom drapes in my childhood bedroom. I've been working on removing us from that background for years and am about to try it again very soon.

Are you using the layer masque to extract the figures from the background? I'm going to be making another attempt on my photo using the extract command. I'll probably use quick masque to finish the clean up before I move it into a background layer.

Finally, I suggest that you make a sellection on the figures and then use Free Transform (under the Edit Menu) to move them around.

I'm not an expert on Photoshop CS, but I think what I am suggesting will work. Good luck. And I'd love to know how it turns out.

[andyapc]

Hi Starling - my picture layer is on the "overlay" blending mode as that's the only way I know how to get it to look like that artsy, blended, montagey type of look where it's kind of melting into the background. But, I also thought it was too transparent so I duplicated that layer and that duplicated layer is on a normal blending mode. I still have the blotches.

If I remember correctly (it was only last night but I was tweaking this thing so much, I can't remember exactly what I did), I used my extract filter first to remove the bride/groom from the ugly backgound, then used a layer mask to clean it up the edges. I have never used a quick mask before - I don't even know how

So, should I not be using the "overlay" blending mode on my pic and just decrease the opacity instead? Will that work if I have a layer mask on it? Does it work with a quick mask better?

[Starling]

The photo borders tutorial shows how to but a border around the photo. If you use a round marque tool to make an oval, make the border very wide and the feather very wide, it will blend out to transparent. You can then put it over your background and it will look like it is floating.

I did a google search and found this, which is pretty basic, but should work.

"Alternatively, you could drag a marquee around the edge of the object you want to fade (or CTR click the layer to select it), then go to SELECT > FEATHER, and enter a suitable amount (it depends on the res of the pic your working with). Then SELECT > INVERSE, and delete (or fill) the selection.
This method does not leave that "pointy" part at the border, but rather rounds them out. " stuyong88 at the Good Tutorials site.

and here is another one with pictures:

http://www.good-tutorials.com/track/5328

I hope this helps.