Removing difficult backgrounds

[Scientist]

Hi all,

I'm using Photoshop CS3 to prepare images for a scientific field guide (for print). I need to clip out complex images of corals and place them on a black background. I have tried a few different techniques thus far, but haven't had a lot of luck.

Often, the background color is picked up by (or shows through) the corals, further comlicating things like color selection. I need to preserve as much detail as possible without getting a halo or a 'cut out' look....

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Here are a few examples of the originals, and an attempt using channels to create a mask:

 

[Hoogle]

I think this is past the refine edge option in photoshop I would recomend topaz remask 3 a plugin for photoshop I love it here is a 25 min video but shows it off well

 

[Hoogle]

View attachment 4928

I am not very good at fine selections certainly not to this scale however you can add a colour overlay to clean it up a bit and adjust opacity

 

[Carrie56]

I agree with Hoogleman Topaz Remask 3 is a relatively cheap plug in compared to the price of photoshop and it works right inside photoshop as a filter. It is a great tool to have and compliments photoshop well.

 

[Scientist]

Thanks for the suggestions. Topaz Remask looks perfect for my needs. I'll just have to convince the boss.

 

[Scientist]

Topaz Remask unfortunately is not compatible with my Mac G5.... any other suggestions??

 

[Jeze]

Thank you for this, very good insturction going try this now

 

[Bucket]

Thats exactly what i am struggling with. I solved the problem by getting some hair drawn brushes,but that still leaves the problem with the tree. I found that this could solve a lot of difficult problems. Thanks Bucket