How to Create a Composite Image in Photoshop Using Blending Modes
In this video we will be learning how to create a composite image in Photoshop. We will be mainly using blending modes and taking advantage of the difference between the tonal values in the image to merge them seamlessly. Here’s the video:
Video Summary
This tutorial from Creative Pad Media demonstrates a sophisticated Photoshop technique for creating a composite image by blending a glowing object (a camera with streaks of light) onto a subject’s shirt and a table.
Key Editing Workflow:
- Alignment and Transformation [00:27]: The first step involves manually aligning the images. By reducing the opacity of the top layer and using the Transform tool (Ctrl+T / Cmd+T), the user ensures the object fits perfectly on the table and aligns with the subject’s eyes [00:49].
- Using the “Lighten” Blending Mode [02:02]: This mode is ideal for this composite because it hides the dark background of the light streak image and reveals only the parts that are lighter than the subject’s dark shirt [02:17].
- Selective Masking [02:52]: A black layer mask is applied to hide the entire top layer, and a white brush is used to paint back only the essential parts of the camera and the light streaks [03:07].
- Restoring Object Opaqueness [04:03]: To fix areas where the blending made the camera look transparent or “thin,” a duplicate layer is created and set to Normal blending mode [04:43]. The user then selectively masks this layer to bring back the solid, opaque parts of the camera without losing the light effects [06:11].
- Creative Strategy [07:05]: Shooting the original object against a background similar to the final target (e.g., a black shirt vs. a dark cloth) makes the blending process much easier and more forgiving [07:43].
The video concludes by preparing to add secondary effects like color grading and table reflections to enhance the realism of the glow [08:53].
Important Links
Link to download the images used in the video:
This video is from our Trick Photography course, which has 35 videos and 5 hours of content. Use the link below to access the full course on Udemy:
