Adobe Master Class: Advanced Compositing in Adobe Photoshop CC: Bringing the Impossible to Reality -- with Bret Malley

Cover......Page 1 Title Page......Page 2 Copyright Page......Page 3 Dedication......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgments......Page 9 About the Author......Page 10 Introduction......Page 11 SECTION I: BASICS......Page 14 CHAPTER 1 Get Oriented......Page 15 Navigating the Workspace......Page 17 File Format Advantages......Page 23 Organized, Clean, Efficient......Page 27 Workflow Inspiration......Page 28 CHAPTER 2 Hidden Basics......Page 29 All About the Move Tool......Page 31 Selection Tools and Tips......Page 35 Healing and Cloning Tools......Page 45 Brush Your Textures......Page 50 Conclusion......Page 52 Nondestructive Super Power......Page 53 Layer Organization......Page 56 Masking......Page 59 Blending Modes......Page 66 Smart Objects and Styles......Page 71 Conclusion......Page 74 CHAPTER 4 Favorite Adjustment Layers and Filters......Page 75 Adjustment Layers......Page 77 Featured Filters......Page 85 Conclusion......Page 94 CHAPTER 5 Photography and Compositing......Page 95 Types of Cameras......Page 97 Lenses and Sensor Sizes......Page 102 Control Exposure......Page 103 Accessories......Page 108 Edit in Camera Raw......Page 111 Shooting for an Archive......Page 117 Light It!......Page 123 Conclusion......Page 125 SECTION II: TUTORIALS......Page 126 Know Your Composite Style......Page 127 Creating a Photo Palette......Page 129 Rating and Filtering Images in Adobe Bridge......Page 137 Few Pieces, Big Payoff......Page 141 Conclusion......Page 144 Begin with the Background......Page 145 Paste the Pieces in Place......Page 147 Select, then Mask......Page 149 Adjust Curves and Color......Page 153 Clone This......Page 159 Fine-Tune Lighting and Effects......Page 161 Conclusion......Page 164 CHAPTER 8 Blending Fire......Page 165 Prep for the Composite......Page 167 Handle the Hands......Page 168 Remove Backgrounds Using Blending Modes......Page 169 Rough Sketch the Fire......Page 170 Browse and Position Your Flames......Page 172 Blend Smoke and Hands......Page 184 Blend Textures to Enhance......Page 188 Play with Color......Page 190 Curve the Mood......Page 191 Dodge and Burn with Overlay......Page 193 Conclusion......Page 194 Gather Your Resources......Page 195 Straighten Up with the Adaptive Wide Angle Filter......Page 197 Mask Montreal......Page 201 Mask the Meadow......Page 204 Move a Mountain......Page 206 Practice Cloud Control......Page 208 Combine the Studio and the Outdoors......Page 211 Complete the Demolition and Decay......Page 219 Add Atmospheric Perspective......Page 223 Finesse the Final Effects......Page 224 Conclusion......Page 230 CHAPTER 10 Fantasy Worlds from Everyday Images......Page 231 Anchor the Scene to a Mountain and Horizon......Page 233 Sky Transformation......Page 247 Create Dimension, Add a Foreground......Page 256 Blue the Vista......Page 262 Final Touches and Composition Strategy......Page 264 Conclusion......Page 269 SECTION III: INSPIRATION......Page 270 CHAPTER 11 Mastering Elemental Textures......Page 271 Step 1: Fish for Inspiration......Page 273 Step 2: Get Organized......Page 275 Step 3: Convert to Smart Objects......Page 276 Step 4: Mask the Fish......Page 277 Step 5: Scale the Smart Objects......Page 278 Step 6: Give the Fish a Froggy Glare......Page 279 Step 7: Harness Fire and Water......Page 282 Step 8: Warp and Liquify......Page 284 Step 9: Cool the Fiery Fish......Page 286 Step 10: Control Color but Retain Depth......Page 287 Step 11: Brush in Magical Lighting......Page 289 Step 12: Glow......Page 291 Conclusion......Page 292 MASTER VOICES: Mario Sánchez Nevado......Page 293 CHAPTER 12 Put Daddy Down, Please!......Page 297 Step 1: Sketch the Scene......Page 299 Step 2: Set Up the Shot......Page 301 Step 3: Place the Objects......Page 302 Step 4: Select Your Best Images......Page 303 Step 5: Edit in Raw......Page 304 Step 7: Organize from the Beginning......Page 305 Step 8: Select from the Chosen......Page 306 Step 9: Copy and Paste in Place......Page 307 Step 10: Refine Selections......Page 308 Step 12: Paint the Mask......Page 310 Step 13: Use Clipping Masks for Isolated Adjustments......Page 312 Step 14: Use Clone Stamp to Remove Unwanted Fingerprints......Page 314 Step 15: Combine Techniques as Needed......Page 315 Step 16: Adjust Lighting and Effects......Page 316 Conclusion......Page 317 MASTER VOICES: Josh Rossi......Page 319 CHAPTER 13 Big Store, Big Scenery......Page 323 Step 1: Photograph......Page 325 Step 2: Build a Photo Palette and Scaffolding......Page 326 Step 3: Sharpen and Reduce Noise......Page 327 Step 4: Plant a Foreground, Grow Depth......Page 329 Step 5: Mask the Big Box......Page 331 Step 6: Sink in the Scenery......Page 333 Step 7: Enter Grunge, Exit the X......Page 337 Step 8: Turn On the Fog Machine......Page 339 Step 9: Adjust the Final Touches......Page 341 Conclusion......Page 342 MASTER VOICES: Erik Johansson......Page 343 CHAPTER 14 The Hunt......Page 347 Step 1: Use Photography as Inspiration......Page 349 Step 2: Sketch Alternatives......Page 350 Step 3: Shoot the Subjects......Page 351 Step 4: Piece It Together......Page 352 Step 5: Mask a Group......Page 354 Step 6: Put Hair on That Mammoth......Page 358 Step 7: Adjust Mammoth Lighting and Color......Page 361 Step 8: Make Additional Alterations......Page 363 Step 9: Accessorize the Caveman......Page 364 Step 10: Cue the Volcano......Page 367 Conclusion......Page 369 MASTER VOICES: Christian Hecker......Page 371 CHAPTER 15 Family Portrait Magic......Page 375 Step 1: Brainstorm......Page 377 Step 2: Set Up Lighting and Gear......Page 378 Step 3: Previsualize and Position......Page 379 Step 4: Shoot Each Vignette......Page 381 Step 5: Rate and Sort Images in Bridge......Page 383 Step 6: Gather, Process, and Compose the Family......Page 384 Step 7: Mask and Paint......Page 388 Step 8: Cloning and Hair Repairs......Page 392 Step 9: Add the Special Effects......Page 394 Step 10: Emphasis and Composition......Page 401 Conclusion......Page 404 MASTER VOICES: Holly Andres......Page 405 Step 1: Lay the Groundwork......Page 409 Step 2: Work on Scale and Perspective......Page 413 Step 3: Fill in the Scene......Page 414 Step 4: Go with the Flow: Convincing Water......Page 416 Step 5: Plant the Tree......Page 420 Step 6: Build a Cottage, Rock by Rock......Page 421 Step 7: Brush in Thatch from Scratch......Page 424 Step 8: Build a Two-Board Waterwheel......Page 426 Step 9: Cue the Birds......Page 428 Step 10: Polish the Effects......Page 429 Conclusion......Page 430 MASTER VOICES: Andrée Wallin......Page 431 A......Page 435 B......Page 436 C......Page 437 D......Page 438 F......Page 439 G......Page 440 K......Page 441 L......Page 442 M......Page 443 P......Page 444 R......Page 445 S......Page 446 T......Page 447 Z......Page 448 Cover 1 Title Page 2 Copyright Page 3 Dedication 4 Contents 5 Acknowledgments 9 About the Author 10 Introduction 11 SECTION I: BASICS 14 CHAPTER 1 Get Oriented 15 Navigating the Workspace 17 File Format Advantages 23 Organized, Clean, Efficient 27 Workflow Inspiration 28 CHAPTER 2 Hidden Basics 29 Inside My Toolbox 31 All About the Move Tool 31 Selection Tools and Tips 35 Healing and Cloning Tools 45 Brush Your Textures 50 Conclusion 52 CHAPTER 3 Layers and Photoshop Muscle 53 Nondestructive Super Power 53 Layer Organization 56 Masking 59 Blending Modes 66 Smart Objects and Styles 71 Conclusion 74 CHAPTER 4 Favorite Adjustment Layers and Filters 75 Adjustment Layers 77 Featured Filters 85 Conclusion 94 CHAPTER 5 Photography and Compositing 95 Inside My Bag 97 Types of Cameras 97 Lenses and Sensor Sizes 102 Control Exposure 103 Accessories 108 Edit in Camera Raw 111 Shooting for an Archive 117 Light It! 123 Conclusion 125 SECTION II: TUTORIALS 126 CHAPTER 6 Prep and Organize Four Projects 127 Know Your Composite Style 127 Creating a Photo Palette 129 Rating and Filtering Images in Adobe Bridge 137 Few Pieces, Big Payoff 141 Conclusion 144 CHAPTER 7 Making a Super Composite 145 Begin with the Background 145 Paste the Pieces in Place 147 Select, then Mask 149 Adjust Curves and Color 153 Clone This 159 Fine-Tune Lighting and Effects 161 Conclusion 164 CHAPTER 8 Blending Fire 165 Prep for the Composite 167 Handle the Hands 168 Remove Backgrounds Using Blending Modes 169 Rough Sketch the Fire 170 Browse and Position Your Flames 172 Blend Smoke and Hands 184 Blend Textures to Enhance 188 Play with Color 190 Curve the Mood 191 Dodge and Burn with Overlay 193 Conclusion 194 CHAPTER 9 Atmosphere, Grit, and Demolition 195 Gather Your Resources 195 Straighten Up with the Adaptive Wide Angle Filter 197 Mask Montreal 201 Mask the Meadow 204 Move a Mountain 206 Practice Cloud Control 208 Combine the Studio and the Outdoors 211 Complete the Demolition and Decay 219 Add Atmospheric Perspective 223 Finesse the Final Effects 224 Conclusion 230 CHAPTER 10 Fantasy Worlds from Everyday Images 231 Gather Your Resources 233 Anchor the Scene to a Mountain and Horizon 233 Sky Transformation 247 Create Dimension, Add a Foreground 256 Blue the Vista 262 Final Touches and Composition Strategy 264 Conclusion 269 SECTION III: INSPIRATION 270 CHAPTER 11 Mastering Elemental Textures 271 Step 1: Fish for Inspiration 273 Step 2: Get Organized 275 Step 3: Convert to Smart Objects 276 Step 4: Mask the Fish 277 Step 5: Scale the Smart Objects 278 Step 6: Give the Fish a Froggy Glare 279 Step 7: Harness Fire and Water 282 Step 8: Warp and Liquify 284 Step 9: Cool the Fiery Fish 286 Step 10: Control Color but Retain Depth 287 Step 11: Brush in Magical Lighting 289 Step 12: Glow 291 Conclusion 292 MASTER VOICES: Mario Sánchez Nevado 293 CHAPTER 12 Put Daddy Down, Please! 297 Preparing for a Composite 299 Step 1: Sketch the Scene 299 Step 2: Set Up the Shot 301 Step 3: Place the Objects 302 Step 4: Select Your Best Images 303 Step 5: Edit in Raw 304 Step 6: Set the Stage with a Clear Base Image 305 Step 7: Organize from the Beginning 305 Step 8: Select from the Chosen 306 Step 9: Copy and Paste in Place 307 Step 10: Refine Selections 308 Step 11: Add the Mask 310 Step 12: Paint the Mask 310 Step 13: Use Clipping Masks for Isolated Adjustments 312 Step 14: Use Clone Stamp to Remove Unwanted Fingerprints 314 Step 15: Combine Techniques as Needed 315 Step 16: Adjust Lighting and Effects 316 Conclusion 317 MASTER VOICES: Josh Rossi 319 CHAPTER 13 Big Store, Big Scenery 323 Step 1: Photograph 325 Step 2: Build a Photo Palette and Scaffolding 326 Step 3: Sharpen and Reduce Noise 327 Step 4: Plant a Foreground, Grow Depth 329 Step 5: Mask the Big Box 331 Step 6: Sink in the Scenery 333 Step 7: Enter Grunge, Exit the X 337 Step 8: Turn On the Fog Machine 339 Step 9: Adjust the Final Touches 341 Conclusion 342 MASTER VOICES: Erik Johansson 343 CHAPTER 14 The Hunt 347 Step 1: Use Photography as Inspiration 349 Step 2: Sketch Alternatives 350 Step 3: Shoot the Subjects 351 Step 4: Piece It Together 352 Step 5: Mask a Group 354 Step 6: Put Hair on That Mammoth 358 Step 7: Adjust Mammoth Lighting and Color 361 Step 8: Make Additional Alterations 363 Step 9: Accessorize the Caveman 364 Step 10: Cue the Volcano 367 Step 11: Turn Up the Temperature 369 Conclusion 369 MASTER VOICES: Christian Hecker 371 CHAPTER 15 Family Portrait Magic 375 Step 1: Brainstorm 377 Step 2: Set Up Lighting and Gear 378 Step 3: Previsualize and Position 379 Step 4: Shoot Each Vignette 381 Step 5: Rate and Sort Images in Bridge 383 Step 6: Gather, Process, and Compose the Family 384 Step 7: Mask and Paint 388 Step 8: Cloning and Hair Repairs 392 Step 9: Add the Special Effects 394 Step 10: Emphasis and Composition 401 Conclusion 404 MASTER VOICES: Holly Andres 405 CHAPTER 16 Epic Fantasy Landscapes 409 Step 1: Lay the Groundwork 409 Step 2: Work on Scale and Perspective 413 Step 3: Fill in the Scene 414 Step 4: Go with the Flow: Convincing Water 416 Step 5: Plant the Tree 420 Step 6: Build a Cottage, Rock by Rock 421 Step 7: Brush in Thatch from Scratch 424 Step 8: Build a Two-Board Waterwheel 426 Step 9: Cue the Birds 428 Step 10: Polish the Effects 429 Conclusion 430 MASTER VOICES: Andrée Wallin 431 Index 435 A 435 B 436 C 437 D 438 E 439 F 439 G 440 H 441 I 441 J 441 K 441 L 442 M 443 N 444 O 444 P 444 Q 445 R 445 S 446 T 447 U 448 V 448 W 448 X 448 Y 448 Z 448 In Bret Malley’s world, a father is suspended in the air among his baby’s collection of toys . . . a big-box store and parking lot can be transformed into a scene of reclaimed nature . . . and an ordinary person can sculpt fire with his bare hands. And in __Adobe Master Class: Advanced Compositing in Adobe Photoshop CC, Second Edition__, Bret shares the techniques he uses to elevate an image from the everyday to the extraordinary, showing you how to make seemingly impossible scenarios come to life. Designed as a comprehensive guide to compositing from start to finish, this book is divided into three sections. Section I provides an overview of Adobe Photoshop CC focusing on both basic and hidden tools and other features you need to master in order to create stunning composite imagery. Bret also shows you how to shoot high-quality photos for compositing, including tips for equipment and technique. Going beyond the mechanics of Photoshop, Section II leaps into hands-on action by guiding readers through the creation of four unique composites. These fun and informative step-by-step projects cover everything from the first planning sketches to the final finishing touches (using resources provided for download). In Section III, additional detailed project walkthroughs offer tips on everything from creating a superhuman to compositing an epic fantasy landscape. Interviews and spreads featuring established and emerging artists provide a range of inspirational imagery, creative insight, and professional know-how. The author shares the techniques he uses to elevate an image from the everyday to the extraordinary, showing you how to make seemingly impossible scenarios come to life. Starting with an overview of the Adobe Photoshop interface that focuses on the hidden tools you need to know to create stunning composite imagery, this informative guide walks through all the necessary stages, from the first planning sketches to the final finishing touches, of making all kinds of unique creations. Beyond the orientation of tools, layers, adjustments and more, Bret uses step-by-step tutorials to break down a wide variety of his Photoshop artworks. Additional detailed project walkthroughs offer tips on everything from creating a superhuman to compositing an epic fantasy landscape. And interviews and spreads featuring various established and emerging artists provide a range of inspirational imagery, creative insight, and professional know-how