Background Removal refers to the removal of the background or the backdrop of the picture wherein the object/objects are placed. While removing the background, the entire background or merely parts of the background we desire can be removed.

Previously, before the arrival of digital photography and the current accompanying technology, background removal was performed in a more laborious process.

It was performed in a darkroom with the necessary ambient conditions including proper room temperature. The film was submerged in working solution and was monitored constantly. Overexposure of the film to the solution could result in an increase in background blur and decrease in resolution.

Now, background removal is done with any digital photo editing software like GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP. GIMP is a special type of graphics editing application that is able to support some types of object-oriented (or vector) graphics.

It is not necessary that the digital photo editing software used for background removal be able to support all types of object-oriented graphics.The advantage in using GIMP of course, is that it enables easy vector to raster conversion.

Other popularly used raster graphics editors and digital photo editors will also work just fine. Most digital photo editors have a number of plug-ins which can modify the background in different ways. Plug-ins are computer programs with highly specific purposes. Most sophisticated photo editing programs use special purpose plug-ins and will perform background editing and removal based on different criteria.

Objects without backgrounds can be used in several different ways. They can be placed in a new backdrop and in different situational contexts. For eg.: a couch in furniture showroom could have the furniture showroom replaced with an office. The object can be moved around any which way and it’s alignment w.r.t the new background can also be changed.

The interesting thing about an object without a background is that it retains all its properties like shape and size, but makes itself more flexible to individual usage.

By: Lucky Balaraman

A photo mosaic has an attractiveness that catches the eyes instantly but then want exactly is a photo mosaic? A photo mosaic is usually made from a digital photo graph as well as other types of photo. The photograph is divided into equal rectangular sections to create a visual effect that is appealing to the eyes. So in other words photo mosaic can be said to be a type of imaging art.

In creating your photo mosaic every one of the rectangular divisions is replaced other images for instance you decide to make a photo mosaic of your parrot; you use different photos of your parrot to make up the photo mosaic. So when you look at the picture of your parrot from distance you will simply see it as one photo but upon closer observation you will notice the photo is made up of other smaller images of your parrot. So to create a photo mosaic you input other different photographs to make up one photograph.

You can make great photo mosaics to decorate your home, give as gifts and you can even make money from photo mosaics buy submitting such photos to stock photo sites where they can be used and downloaded by interior decorators, advertisers and many more.

To create your own photo mosaics you do not need extensive tools or equipments, all you need is a digital camera, software like Andre mosaic, and a colour printer. This can be a great pass time as well as a way to earn a little income by creating photo mosaics for commercial purposes such as stock photo sites mentioned above.

Some other software that you can use for your photo mosaics are, Pic to Brick, Photomosaic, Imosaic or you could also use the services of commercial establishments to create your photo mosaics if you want a professional job, but I assure you that it is something that any one can do with the right tool.

By: Karen Fairham

Many times when we take a brilliant photo it does not turn out exactly as we wanted in the end result. This is where photo editing software comes into play. You are able to right some wrongs that may have occurred to your photographs. This however doesn’t mean you can change the whole photo all together, however with software such as Photoshop, it makes it possible for you to include people who weren’t there into the picture, or even erase others who were.

When using your photo editing software it is important to known that the work can never become completely perfect but you can get close. However don’t linger to long trying to correct things which might already be perfect the way they are because you might just over do it and end up having a different photo all together.

When learning how to use your photo editing software it is wise to use the tutorials that are given with the software depending on how you got the software. Most digital cameras come with their own software which is better because you don’t have to go looking for software and end up with fake software. If you don’t get the software with the camera search for it on the company’s website you will probably get it there.

The good thing about the software is that you can tweak the photos to your hearts content. For best results make sure you have saved the photos as RAW image and not in jpeg. Fix an otherwise spoilt photo to what you want it to be like.

By: Peter Gitundu