CREATIVE COMPOSITES

Blending image components is an art form. Learn the skills needed to light, shoot and edit composite images to control colour and detail

Compositing is actually not a new concept - it has been a part of the photo-editing process since the days of film photography. In decades past, it was still possible to seamlessly blend image components together in the dark room, only this was done by physical means, rather than electronic. These days, thanks to digital imaging and photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, it's easier to create seamless and convincing image blends than ever before.

The potential uses of compositing are wide-reaching, and in the modern marketplace there's a steady demand for photorealistic compositing work. From environmental portraiture to product photography, landscapes, and advertising and property images, it's a skill that has applications in almost every line of contemporary genres.

Compositing is a broad term, covering everything from simple sky replacement to highly complex selections and rendering. In some cases, the use of computer-generated elements blurs the boundaries between photography and digital art. While this can be off-putting to many professional photographers, far from being a purely artistic endeavour, it's a highly pervasive style trend.

Mastering compositing will not only open up practical benefits but can also lend a particular look to images, which can help set your work apart from the competition and generate demand for your commercial imaging. So, let's explore the essential skills you'll need to become a compositing expert.

WHY CREATE COMPOSITES?

Learn the practical and creative reasons for blending multiple image elements