Tips for Using the Photoshop Blanket Color Change Action

Changing a Blanket Color in Photoshop - Video Tutorial

1. Use the Quick Selection Tool to Select the Baby

The first thing you will want to do is make a quick selection of the baby using the Quick Selection Tool in your Tools Panel.

2. Select Refine Edge

Once you've done that, right click somewhere on your image and select Refine Edge from the pop-up menu.  You will see that you have a nice rough outline of your subject.

3. Use the Smart Radius Tool to Trace Around the Baby

Click on the Smart Radius Tool, then using your brush, trace around the baby's outline and make sure to get all the fine hairs in your selection.  Okay let's talk about how to refine the edge for a perfect selection of the baby.

4. Adjust Your Selection Using the Refine Edge Tools

Using the Refine Edge Tool, you can adjust your selection by using the Smooth slider which will smooth out that transition.  The Feather slider will soften the edges.  Also, you can actually create a little bit more detail using the contrast slider.  Last but not least, you can shift the edge of your selection both in or out to make the perfect selection.

Make sure your Output is set to selection and click OK.

5. Invert Your Selection

At this point the baby is selected, but you will want to invert the selection, so only the blanket is selected and nothing else - basically, the opposite of what is currently selected.  To do this, simply right click on your image and click on Select Inverse.  You will know that you've selected the inverse when you see marching ants all the way around the image.

6. Play the Change Blanket Color Action

Now go ahead and play the Change Blanket Color Action from the Luxe Newborn Complete Workflow and follow the prompts to choose the color you want the blanket changed to and let the action run.

Once the action is finished running, open up your group.  You will see the selection you had created earlier of the baby there.  Everything in white is what will show up so you will want to add this mask to the Change Blanket Color group.  To do that, use your Alt key (on a PC) or your Option key (on a Mac).  Hold that key while clicking on the layer and drag it up and drop it onto the Change Blanket Color group Layer Mask.

You have now replaced the entire blanket with the new color that YOU selected. Congratulations!!

7. Touch Up

You may have some areas that still need to be touched up.  To do this stay on the same mask (Change Blanket Color), select a brush and make sure it's pretty small so you can get all of the little details.  Also, be sure to lower your brush opacity a little bit and you can start to do some touch up.

Well Newborn Photographers, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and thanks for visiting Pretty Photoshop Actions.

Additional Newborn Photography & Editing Resources:

• How to Edit Newborns in Photoshop - FREE WEBINAR
• How to Use Photoshop Blanket Brushes
• 6 Newborn Photography Tips to Rock Your First Session
• Newborn Photography Posing Guide
• How to Get a Newborn to Sleep for a Photo Session
• 5 Must Have Newborn Photography Props
• How to Photography Your Own Newborn - DIY

P.S - If you prefer to edit in Lightroom, we recently released our fabulous Baby Bella Newborn Workflow which includes tons of presets and brushes - everything you need to edit newborns in Lightroom!

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