Replace Headshot Backgrounds in One Click with AI

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

How are you replacing backgrounds in your headshots? Let me know what you are doing!

[@mikem6796]

Interesting. Where can I get decent already created back drops for headshots?

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

@@mikem6796 there are so many options out there. Etsy, Photoshop Generative AI, Adobe Stock. If I find myself somewhere interesting like a cool office or lobby, I will grab a few frames and add them to my collection.

[@MichaelCTruth]

​@@GaryHughesOfficial Thanks. Have you done any videos using photoshop generative fill to create backdrops?

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

@@MichaelCTruth no, not at this point. I think it's cool, but I deal in a lot of volume and need a way to create backgrounds that are consistent over time and high resolution. I think PS is close, but not all the way there for me.

[@J.R.ClubbPhotographer]

I've been using for a few months too and have been overall impressed with it! You just have to be subtle with the retouching sliders. The background removal is great and you don't use up more credits if you do multiple version exports of different colour backdrops!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

oh that's a good tip!

[@adamchandler8508]

I've been using and enjoying this software for several months and think it does a great job, all in all. It handles skin better than other software I've used and is very fast for batch edits. The shine reduction and double chin sliders are awesome to use when you need them. And if you ever shoot full-length images (i.e. fashion), the "clean solid backdrop" features does a fantastic job of getting rid of dirt from shoes. All in all, I'm very impressed and like how they add updates regularly!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

I’m really just getting into it, but I also discovered “Symmetrize” yesterday. Just bonkers!

[@adamchandler8508]

@@GaryHughesOfficial haven't tried that one yet and will give it a go!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

@@adamchandler8508 but do you know how to pronounce "Evoto" correctly? That's what I want to know!

[@EvotoAI]

@@GaryHughesOfficial LOL. Gary, I'm coming, your pronounce "Evoto" is right

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

@@EvotoAI yes! nailed it!

[@kateserebryakova3083]

Thank you Gary, I’ll try it! I already use Evoto but very limited, helpful video! Magic is made simple which is great! More time to spend with family

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

They’ve added so much since I made this video too. Absolutely bonkers

[@NeilMcAliece]

I don't do many background replacements, so the first thing I did was went to their website to look at pricing. Then I read up on their "credits" system. I like it. I think that's smart on their part. Their target market is likely to already have multiple subscriptions to software. I'd be reluctant to add another one. Their "basic" offering though with 1200 edit exports would probably last me a very long time. Going to have to put a sticky note near me with the name of this product as a reminder for the next time I've got a frustrating background removal :)

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Worth downloading just to play with. I think you get 5 free credits to practice and learn it :) thanks for watching

[@NeilMcAliece]

​@@GaryHughesOfficial I've had a play and am impressed! I was overly optimistic on the credit system for light users though. I hit the upgrade button for the basic $89 1200 credit package and it says "plan duration 12 months" So it looks like a use it or lose it situation.

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

@@NeilMcAliece THat's interesting. I wonder if contacting their support would yield any answers. I bet they would carry them over if you asked

[@KenHuth]

Always spot on, Gary. I’m constantly sending feedback to our outsourced retouchers to keep the retouch *subtle* (we do business/docs)… Evoto has nice results and can be dialed in subtle/classy. Knockout issue - I’ve submitted the request to Evoto, but one big missing feature is moving/scaling the subject. With so many body shapes & sizes on a long headshot day, I need to tweak positioning on the subject layer to make them uniform & flattering. Hope Evoto keeps evolving. They’ve had many updates since we started with them a few months back, so here’s hopin’ ! 🤞

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Thanks! I haven't played with the crop tool at all. Since it already knows how to recognize faces maybe it could match perspective across images? That seems a good feature to add.

[@kmcphotog]

Why have I waited so long to watch your youtube vids ;) My new morning ritual with breakfast! Hey come to Fla school to hang out in Sept!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Well at least you have a good back log of them to go through! I think my family might end up modeling for one of the classes so there's a good chance I'll se you there :)

[@kmcphotog]

@@GaryHughesOfficial awesome! I hope to see you, taking Tim Waldens class as he is my new coach now. YES! I need to catch up on these videos and will be doing that as the two I watched were great! Thanks Gary!!!

[@sydfuller6610]

So cool! Based on your experience what are the top background colors to shoot on for easy background color replacement?

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Chroma green is usually a safe bet, but it does a great job with most solid colors as long as there is good contrast between the subject and the background

[@PortraitofaWrestler]

I liked the fabriccy one, cheers. ❤

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

You would!

[@j24mike]

I saw your class at WPPI a couple of years ago. I was really impressed with your Shoot -Name the image and Organize the Headshot image prosses. Are you going to be offering a similar class near Atlanta anytime soon?

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

No plans for Atlanta, but if you check out headshottools.com you will know all my secrets when it comes to renaming and delivering headshots :)

[@snasayed]

Can you help me with a situation. In some pictures where my subject is sitting on a chair or stool; changing backdrop removes the chair/stool. How to recover that or fix this issue from happening? Help is much appreciated.

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

In this situation, wouldn’t use Evoto, I would probably use the background removal in Photoshop :)

[@staceynolan48]

Great video! So does this mean you shoot all headshots on green now? And, is background swapping without the greenscreen very labor intensive? Thanks!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

I am leaning towards a green screen for all my new hire headshots, but definitely not for everything. Even without green screen it does a pretty good job. The point is that shooting with the intent to remove the background is going to make your life easier. The more contrast between the edges of the subject and background, the easier it will be for the software to remove it.

[@fredboothmaniv6958]

Great insight in this video and helpful tips. So great in this background replacement future. Would you now currently recommend green screen vs white or grey backdrops for headshots moving forward? Curious if I should invest in a green backdrop vs my white.

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Great question. Here's what I know - Green screen backgrounds seem to work really well. Other backgrounds are a gamble if the hair, for example, is very close to the color of the background, you can get weird results. If you replace the background you shot on with something similar to what you shot, like light grey to white, it does a pretty good job across the board. I am still experimenting.

[@lesliekahan7524]

Thanks Gary! Definitely going to try this a bit - the background replacement looks great. One question. I didn't see a way of getting rid of stray hairs with Evoto. Did I miss something? If you know where it is, please tell me. If they don't have that feature, have you found a quick and easy way to remove stray hair around the perimeter of a head? You hair looks so perfect and need that it wouldn't be a true test ; ). Thanks!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Well thanks for the hair compliment! As far as I can tell, that'e the one thing that Evoto (and AI retouching in general) is missing. I am hoping they will add it in the future. I have a few different methods. First and foremost is that you should consider (if yo udon't already) having hairspray and a brush with you when you shoot. Also a hair and makeup person can do this for you to eliminate the problem at the source. If you already didn't do that, the remove tool in PS is incredible for stray hairs.

[@cheryldubois5110]

Jawdropping!

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

It's even better now than it was when I made this video.

[@kodithebear]

What about when there is fuzzy complex hair?

[@GaryHughesOfficial]

Been using it for a few weeks now and it actually does a nice job even ion. tough cutouts