Compositing in Photoshop
I feel that digital compositing of single, still, photo-real images is an under-appreciated field in the art world. This series of illustrated pdf articles is my attempt to provide information about the techniques involved, and to show you the potential of digital photographic compositing. I hope that they will encourage you to try your hand at it.Tips
7 Tools
7 Palettes
Brushes in 7
Using PS7 Brushes
7 Basics
7 Reference: Tools
7 Reference: Palettes
Reference: Filters
Reference: Effects
Selections
Channels
Basic Layers
Basic Pen
How Much?
Color Management
Color Correction
Curves, Levels, or Brightness/Contrast?
Combining Images
Combining Images II
Combining Images III
Compositing in Photoshop
Perfect Blend
Multicolor Fill
Dodge and Burn
Duotones
Styles On Masks
Organic Textures
Abstract Background
Make a Frame
3D Wire Text
Doodling
Older Tutorials
Quick Mask
Rubberstamping
More Adjustments
Sharpening
Filters
Color
Elements Basics
Reference: Elements Tools
Reference: Elements Palettes
How Do I...?
Gotcha
Pre-Beginner
Pre-Beginner II
Why Layers?
Holes
Fade In
Playing With Styles
Learning Effects
Redeye Removal
Artistic Filtering
Symmetrical Flowers
Simulated Alpha Channels
Layer Masks
Multilayer Masks
Displacing Textures
The first article is Part One: Defining the Digital Composite. In it, I compare compositing to straight photography and to painting. I then explain the advantages and attractions of the art form.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part One: Defining the Digital
Composite
1.2 MB
The second article is Part Two: Eye Versus Camera. In it I explore the differences between what the camera captures and what our eyes perceive and mind composes from that reception. A composite image is able to match the latter, where a straight photograph is not.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Two: Eye Versus Camera
725 kb
The third article is Part Three: Composite as Story. In it I explain why a composite image necessarily involves merging the stories of the various combined objects. This is very important to the creation of compelling images from disparate parts.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Three: Composite as Story
480 kb
The fourth article is Part Four: Cast Shadows. It describes and explains what makes a good cast shadow and why.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Four: Cast Shadows
760 kb
The fifth article is Part Five: Minimum Requirements. It shows you, in sequence, what is necessary to make the simplest kind of composite image.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Five: Minimum Requirements
1 MB
The sixth article is Part Six: A Good Quality Composite. It shows a sequence of what goes into making a good, solid intermediate level composite image.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Six: A Good Quality Composite
1.2 MB
The seventh article is Part Seven: Real World Compositing. In it, I discuss the real world process of making good composites: collecting and arranging the parts. I also cover the drawbacks of compositing.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Seven: Real World
Compositing
836 kb
The eighth article is Part Eight: What Are Shadows? You may think you know, but I am willing to bet that you don't really. Where does the shadow line fall, what are they made of? Shadows are one of the most important parts of compositing.
Download the zipped pdf file by right-clicking on the link below and
saving it to your hard drive. If you have any problems opening the pdf,
be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed on your
computer.
Part Eight: What Are Shadows?
860 kb
Unreal Nature
Shadows and Light
Photoshop Books
Photoshop Links
FreePhotos
Filler Images
Elementary School
Advanced Elements
The Belief Game
Animal Rights
Copyright © 2004 by Jay Arraich.
All rights reserved.
All photographs copyright ©2004 by Jay Arraich
jay@arraich.com
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