Crowd removal in photoshop

goofry

OK, I was pessimistic when I came across this link, but after watching the short video, I was impressed.

Yes, this is a technique to remove crowds from a picture in Photoshop.

Here's the link,

http://frederickvan.com/blog/2008/04/06/photoshop-tutorial-removing-crowds/

I may even pickup the book he refers to in the video.

gus

Photoshop never ceases to amaze me with its functions/power. I doubt i would use 2% of its ability. Tks for the link.

GwagDesigns

One thing to point however is you can only use that technique if you have CS3 extended if im correct.

colourbox

It also only works if you make sure none of the people you want to remove exists in the same spot in all the frames (otherwise they will be included as part of the static scene), and if you have enough space on your card to take enough pictures to eliminate all of the tourists. I see the demonstrator used JPGs.

goofry

Yes, there are certainly some caveats to this technique, but it is still pretty cool to be able to do something like this.

I know I have had times where I just skipped getting a shot because there was no way to get a clean image. Knowing this technique, I might be tempted to get a few shots and see what comes of it.

Tanuki

goofry wrote:

Yes, there are certainly some caveats to this technique, but it is still pretty cool to be able to do something like this.

I know I have had times where I just skipped getting a shot because there was no way to get a clean image. Knowing this technique, I might be tempted to get a few shots and see what comes of it.

FWIW, you can do this manually in CS3 (regular version) using layer masks and normal blending mode. For those with PS Elements, there is a workaround to layer masks, which is to link each photo to a blank layer.

The old school method is to use a tripod and a high density ND filter to take a long exposure (e.g., 60 seconds). The moving people will disappear into a blur, but if there is any wind you will have to contend with motion blur in the trees, for example. The Photoshop blending method is a huge improvement, in my opinion.

Mike

cupulito

You should check the software SAR Image Processor and take a look to the Image Stacking option. Basically does what you see in the video, and many others thing that are really, really intresting.

Greetings from Argentina.

Diego


PD: Sorry for my bad english.

Art Scott

cupulito wrote:

You should check the software SAR Image Processor and take a look to the Image Stacking option. Basically does what you see in the video, and many others thing that are really, really intresting.

Greetings from Argentina.

Diego


PD: Sorry for my bad english.

No need to apologize for your english........if everyone that uses bad / incorrect english were to apologize................... then ALL of us.....
would be apologizing all of the time:D
Your post is very clear and understandable................

cupulito

Thanks Arthur, i´m learning a lot from this forum and i hope to make my little contribution.

LittleLew

cupulito wrote:

You should check the software SAR Image Processor and take a look to the Image Stacking option. Basically does what you see in the video, and many others thing that are really, really intresting.

I tried reading the SAR manual and was completely lost, quickly.
It needs someone smarter than I.

DoctorIt

Having written a few of my own image analysis routines for some of the research I do (think simple particle tracking type stuff) it is SO cool to see the new filters and automated analysis built in to CS3.

There is so much you can do with images when you start thinking in terms of delta's and a matrix of the data bits that make up a photo rather than people and trees and that you see.

Nerd out over. thanks for the link

Richard

DoctorIt wrote:

There is so much you can do with images when you start thinking in terms of delta's and a matrix of the data bits that make up a photo rather than people and trees and that you see.

Ah, so that's what I have been doing wrong. Whatever you say, Doc.

DoctorIt

Richard wrote:

Ah, so that's what I have been doing wrong. Whatever you say, Doc.

When you quote me like that, it does sound pretty stupid, doesn't it?

That script/filter just really struck an "a ha" moment with me. We often work with series of images, so I guess its the stacks work that really impressed me. I'm finally starting to see some of the promised features of the CS3 "extended" for scientists.

cupulito

LittleLew wrote:

I tried reading the SAR manual and was completely lost, quickly.
It needs someone smarter than I.

Hi LittleLew. First download some samples image to perform the test from here.
Then open SAR, go to the menu Stacking\Stacking (Regular and Modified) a menu appears, select MODE=>Multivariate Median and press OK. Then select all the files from the zip that you download (001.jpg ..... 030.jpg). After that the program generate an image with a clean road (from the sample files). I don´t know if that´s the better way but at least it work for me. If you have some problem i´m glad to help you.

PD: I don´t want to hijack your thread goofry, just mention other software with the "Tourist Removal" tool.

goofry

cupulito wrote:

Hi LittleLew. First download some samples image to perform the test from here.
Then open SAR, go to the menu Stacking\Stacking (Regular and Modified) a menu appears, select MODE=>Multivariate Median and press OK. Then select all the files from the zip that you download (001.jpg ..... 030.jpg). After that the program generate an image with a clean road (from the sample files). I don´t know if that´s the better way but at least it work for me. If you have some problem i´m glad to help you.

PD: I don´t want to hijack your thread goofry, just mention other software with the "Tourist Removal" tool.

No need to apologize. This forum is about technique, and while I love Photoshop, there are certainly many other programs that can do certain things easier and sometimes better.

I say thanks for showing an alternative.

Jeff

dadwtwins

Wow, this technique with CS3 is sick

I guess I do not have to run around naked to scare off everyone now

Scott_Quier

That is just way too cool. I play tourist often enough that this could really come in handy.