In the Objects docker I first create a Grayscale Lens object ( Object > Create > New Lens > Grayscale), and choosing the Blue slider-bar, I drag this all the way to the left to make it as dark as possible.Īnd if I need to add even more contrast, I can adjust any of the other color sliders. And for this image it is the blue channel object.īecause I won't be using the Channels Docker anymore, I turn it off via the Quick Customizing button on the Dockers panel. I begin by using the Channels docker as a contrast guide, and click on the red, green and blue object layers in turn to see which one will offer the best contrast. I have both my Objects Docker ( Window > Dockers > Object Manager or CTRL+F7), and my Channels Docker ( Window > Dockers > Channel or CTRL+F9), activated. But if all steps are followed properly, this works quite fast and the end result will be excellent. The quality of the image is crucial for the end result and why having a great, sharp photo is so important. So let's start by making our subject black. Yes, I know it is starting to sound a bit contradictory. This will make it easier to catch all the hair I intend to keep. And when I later invert black to white, the white background will become black. But before I can do this, I need to make the person in the photo as solid black as possible. Step 1įor this exercise I will be creating a mask of the entire person in the photo by turning the person into a black silhouette object against a white background. Be it RAW, TIFF, or JPEG, you need a high resolution image to get the best result if you are intending to do this professionally. And I will use a high quality image of at least 300 dpi. In this example I will be using a photo with a neutral background. But as we all know too well, this is not always possible. If you are a photographer, working with image retouch, or you are in a position to decide the background against which the person being photographed will be placed, I would suggest using a neutral, flat background. If you are using a version older than X5 you won't be able to use the Grayscale Lens Object. This technique, in which I use the Grayscale Lens Object, will also work with versions X5 and X6 as well. Using Corel PHOTO-PAINT X7 I will be showing you a method of masking hair in an image. If you can master masking hair, then you'll able to master most masking techniques.
One of the most important things many users wish to learn and master when photo editing is probably how to mask hair. Masking Hair technique in Corel PHOTO-PAINT X6/X7 by Stefan Lindblad