You've photographed a newborn on a burgundy backdrop, but the client was dreaming of a sage green? Good news: there's no need to redo the shoot. Changing the colour of a background in Photoshop is a simple operation, provided you choose the right method. Here are two reliable techniques, from the quickest to the most precise, along with our tips for a truly natural result.

The quick method: the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer

This is the ideal approach when your background is a solid colour and clearly separated from the subject. It's non-destructive, so you can go back at any time.

  • Open your image, then create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer (Layer menu > New Adjustment Layer).
  • In the Properties panel, move the Hue slider to shift the background colour towards the shade you want.
  • Adjust the Saturation and the Lightness to avoid a garish or washed-out look.

Tip: in the drop-down menu, target the original colour (instead of the "Master" option) so that you only alter the hue of the background and preserve the subject's skin.

The precise method: isolating the background with a selection

When the subject shares tones close to the background, it's better to work on a defined area so you don't tint the clothing or the skin.

  • Select the background with the Object Selection tool or Color Range (Select menu).
  • Invert or refine the selection, then soften the edge by a few pixels for an invisible join.
  • Apply your adjustment layer: thanks to the mask generated automatically, it will only act on the selected area.

For a completely new flat colour, a fill layer set to the Color blending mode preserves the original shadows and texture while imposing the new hue. The result stays realistic, with its natural gradients.

Our tips for a natural result

A successful edit should remain subtle. Keep these few photographer's habits in mind:

  • Always work on non-destructive layers to adjust or undo without damaging the original.
  • Check the transitions between the subject and the background at high magnification, where flaws show up the most.
  • Start from a quality file: a matte background, with no reflections, is far easier to retouch than a glossy surface that bounces the light back.

What's more, the material matters as much as the software. Our matte vinyl studio backdrops printed to order offer an even, reflection-free colour, which makes colour retouching afterwards enormously easier. Fewer reflections to correct means a cleaner mask and a more faithful colour.

Would you rather start directly with the right colour than recreate it in post-production? Browse our range of shades and put together the ideal backdrop for your next photo shoots, in vinyl or in fabric.