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Photography Ladies Come In
Do any of you know or use the GIMP photo editing program?
I am attempting to edit some newborn photos I did for practice with my BFF's newborn and I want to edit the background coloring in some of the photos. I ended up having to use a quilt she had as a back drop that was off-white and I want to edit/blur the lines on the quilt that are sewn in. If I can't blur them effectively, I'd also be okay with just making the background a different solid color.
To do the blurring in Gimp, would I do what they call cloning? I'm reading the user manual and want to make sure I'm looking at the right thing. I also read about cutting a subject out of the photo...that would work for making the background a different color, but is it super difficult to do? They said there are several methods for separating the subject out, which would you use? Reading about layers and layering has my head spinning and I don't think I'm quite ready for that much experimenting yet.
I wish I had a couple photos to share as an example of what I'm looking to do, but I haven't uploaded them yet off my computer. I'm using an iMAC to do this.
Re: Photography Ladies Come In
Ugh, I wrote an entire reply and then my screen froze!
I use Photoshop, but have heard great things about GIMP. There are a few things that come to mind with your questions...
First, cloning is a tool best used for copying and pasting to remove an unwanted object from your image (ie telephone pole in the middle of a field - you'd copy the sky / trees/ grass next to it and clone it over the pole to remove it). You could try cloning out the lines of the quilt, but it won't really give you the blur that you are looking for.
I'll be honest, it's hard to get bokeh (background blur) while post processing because you are creating a simulated Depth Of Field rather than getting it in camera. What I would do, would be to create another layer on top of your image and mask out the subject. Then look for a tool called gaussian blur and use that on the new layer. Then turn the opacity of that layer down until you are satisfied with it.
I would try that first rather than changing the color as that is harder to do and still end with a natural look because you risk losing natural shadows. However, if the blur isn't working and you want to explore this option, this is what I would do:
I would pick out the main color of the quilt, add a new layer, paint the new layer with that color. Then mask out your subject. Next play with the opacity of that layer until you can see the original background, but it's not as strong and distracting. What you don't want is a solid color that looks completely flat and then your subject is full of dimension.
OOooh you did, I missed it though! Yes, start with cloning out the lines then ... that may be your best option!
Haha, it sounds harder than it is
Once you know the tools and then how you can manipulate them to get what you want, it's much easier. It just takes practice 
Thank you so much for the help and encouragement. I'll share a few on here or on our FB group when I'm done. I can't upload them yet to my profile as the mom said she might use one or two to go on her birth announcements.
I read about using a B&W background and making the subject in color and I think if I'm super brave I'm going to try that making babe and background B&W and her hairbow in color.
Haha, any time! You'll get the hang of it and then once you do it will be pretty easy to transition into other editing programs. Plus knowing what you can and like to do while editing will help give you an idea for the shots you want to take too.
Understandable about not being able to upload them to your profile just yet. When you do, add a small watermark to them (keeps them from getting stolen off your page and gives you the credit for the pictures) I'll be excited to see some though!
I just did a newborn shoot a few weeks ago to get more practice in for Baby B's arrival - my poor kid's going to think that my camera IS my face!
Ah yes, selective color. This is a good one to try out when you are learning because you use a lot of different tools to achieve the look.
One thing for B&W is really play with it, you want to make sure that the skin tones aren't "muddy" - you want to have clear whites and clear blacks with grey tones in between all while not "blowing" your whites and losing detail. Again, practice and you'll get the hang of it!