Creative Composites
Tuesday, October 6th 2009 @ 1:33 PM (not yet rated)
How do we create interesting composite images? It's not that difficult. Here's what I used:
three images with a black background; Photoshop CS2: Nik Software filters
Let's get started!
1) Open a new canvas. File - New - 20x16, 200 ppi.
2) Since the images I'll be importing have a black background, I want this canvas to be black, too. Edit - Fill - use Black.
3) Open the three images. Using the Move tool, drag them onto the black canvas.
4) Move the images into the desired positioning. Note that the background of the center image obscures the left & right images. Correct this by going to the Layers palette, selecting the center image, then adding a layer mask (the camera-looking button).
Using the Brush tool at 100%, 'erase' the background of the center image as needed.
5) In the Layers palette, choose the left image. Lower the opacity to 65%. Repeat for the right image.
6) Flatten the image. (Layer - Flatten Image)
7) Create a duplicate layer (Ctrl - J/Cmd - J)
8) Apply the Nik filter 'Midnight Violet' (click here to order the Nik Software filters)
9) The center face was a little dark for my taste, so in the Layers palette, I added a layer mask. Then I chose the Brush tool set at 30% opacity, and brushed over her face & shoulders.
What do you think?
