Project five: Adobe CC: Magic mushrooms
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine|April 2022
Craft a fantastical composite and learn key compositing skills in Photoshop CC with James Paterson
James Paterson
Project five: Adobe CC: Magic mushrooms
The Mission – Bring together several photos into one scene with selection and masking skills

Time – 30 minutes

Skill level – Advanced

Kit needed – Photoshop CC

Composites are one of the things that Photoshop does better than any other image editor. With a few simple selection and layer skills you can combine a wide array of photos into one magical scene. We’ve used several free downloadable images from www.pixabay.com to create our fantastical composite.

If you want to follow the technique in full then download the eight start images (see box for reference numbers). Or instead, why not learn the techniques explained here then apply them to your own selection of images? Perhaps you could start by shooting your own ‘base’ pictures then overlaying objects taken from downloaded images.

When searching for photos to combine, keep in mind that some will fit together better than others. There are two important factors to look at. The first is lighting. If one image is lit with strong sunlight coming from the right side, while the other is shot on a cloudy day, then there’s a mismatch in the lighting that may be tricky to overcome.

The second factor is the backdrop behind the object, person or animal that you intend to cut out. If the backdrop is plain and uncluttered then the cut-out will be easier, but keep in mind the colour of the backdrop too.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2022 من N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2022 من N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من N-PHOTO: THE NIKON MAGAZINE مشاهدة الكل
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2

The original version broke the mould for ‘trinity' standard zooms. The G2 enhances handling and performance further still

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
Nikon D500
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon D500

Nikon's flagship DX-format DSLR is a modern classic. And while it hasn't been out of production for long, it left a hole in Nikon's camera line-up that's never been filled

time-read
1 min  |
Summer 2024
Laurence Griffiths
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Laurence Griffiths

With so much sporting action this summer, Laurence Griffiths of Getty Images reveals how to catch every goal at the Euros, details Getty Images' 24/7 Olympics coverage and why he always has a wide-angle ready. Keith Wilson managed to grab him before kick-off...

time-read
10 mins  |
Summer 2024
Ghost town
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Ghost town

Adam Waring uses ND filters to subdue the hustle and bustle when shooting busy cities

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
Creative cities
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Creative cities

Experienced travel photographer Matt Higgs provides top tips for stunning shots of city sights

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
If at first you don't succeed...
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

If at first you don't succeed...

Tom travels to the other side of the world to have another go at shooting an elusive image and displays the power of his perseverance

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2024
Shoot the summer of sports
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Shoot the summer of sports

Have the Olympics and Euros inspired you to photograph sport? Mike Harris shows you how to score a portfolio of top shots

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2024
Osprey & prey
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Osprey & prey

Birds of a feather Gary Jones and Leigh Pugh photograph ospreys from a purpose-built hide

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024
Superzoom lenses
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Superzoom lenses

These lenses will have you in for a long stretch, some more than others in the wide-angle to telephoto stakes

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2024
Nikon Z 6III
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon Z 6III

With a revolutionary 'partially stacked' full-frame sensor, the Z 6III fits flagship camera features in an compact enthusiast-level body

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024