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

Book description

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.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. About the Author
  7. Introduction
  8. Section I: Basics
    1. Chapter 1 Get Oriented
      1. Navigating the Workspace
      2. File Format Advantages
      3. Organized, Clean, Efficient
      4. Workflow Inspiration
    2. Chapter 2 Hidden Basics
      1. Inside My Toolbox
      2. All About the Move Tool
      3. Selection Tools and Tips
      4. Healing and Cloning Tools
      5. Brush Your Textures
      6. Conclusion
    3. Chapter 3 Layers and Photoshop Muscle
      1. Nondestructive Super Power
      2. Layer Organization
      3. Masking
      4. Blending Modes
      5. Smart Objects and Styles
      6. Conclusion
    4. Chapter 4 Favorite Adjustment Layers and Filters
      1. Adjustment Layers
      2. Featured Filters
      3. Conclusion
    5. Chapter 5 Photography and Compositing
      1. Inside My Bag
      2. Types of Cameras
      3. Lenses and Sensor Sizes
      4. Control Exposure
      5. Accessories
      6. Edit in Camera Raw
      7. Shooting for an Archive
      8. Light It!
      9. Conclusion
  9. Section II: Tutorials
    1. Chapter 6 Prep and Organize Four Projects
      1. Know Your Composite Style
      2. Creating a Photo Palette
      3. Rating and Filtering Images in Adobe Bridge
      4. Few Pieces, Big Payoff
      5. Conclusion
    2. Chapter 7 Making a Super Composite
      1. Begin with the Background
      2. Paste the Pieces in Place
      3. Select, then Mask
      4. Adjust Curves and Color
      5. Clone This
      6. Fine-Tune Lighting and Effects
      7. Conclusion
    3. Chapter 8 Blending Fire
      1. Prep for the Composite
      2. Handle the Hands
      3. Remove Backgrounds Using Blending Modes
      4. Rough Sketch the Fire
      5. Browse and Position Your Flames
      6. Blend Smoke and Hands
      7. Blend Textures to Enhance
      8. Play with Color
      9. Curve the Mood
      10. Dodge and Burn with Overlay
      11. Conclusion
    4. Chapter 9 Atmosphere, Grit, and Demolition
      1. Gather Your Resources
      2. Straighten Up with the Adaptive Wide Angle Filter
      3. Mask Montreal
      4. Mask the Meadow
      5. Move a Mountain
      6. Practice Cloud Control
      7. Combine the Studio and the Outdoors
      8. Complete the Demolition and Decay
      9. Add Atmospheric Perspective
      10. Finesse the Final Effects
      11. Conclusion
    5. Chapter 10 Fantasy Worlds from Everyday Images
      1. Gather Your Resources
      2. Anchor the Scene to a Mountain and Horizon
      3. Sky Transformation
      4. Create Dimension, Add a Foreground
      5. Blue the Vista
      6. Final Touches and Composition Strategy
      7. Conclusion
  10. Section III: Inspiration
    1. Chapter 11 Mastering Elemental Textures
      1. Step 1: Fish for Inspiration
      2. Step 2: Get Organized
      3. Step 3: Convert to Smart Objects
      4. Step 4: Mask the Fish
      5. Step 5: Scale the Smart Objects
      6. Step 6: Give the Fish a Froggy Glare
      7. Step 7: Harness Fire and Water
      8. Step 8: Warp and Liquify
      9. Step 9: Cool the Fiery Fish
      10. Step 10: Control Color but Retain Depth
      11. Step 11: Brush in Magical Lighting
      12. Step 12: Glow
      13. Conclusion
      14. MASTER VOICES: Mario Sánchez Nevado
    2. Chapter 12 Put Daddy Down, Please!
      1. Preparing for a Composite
      2. Step 1: Sketch the Scene
      3. Step 2: Set Up the Shot
      4. Step 3: Place the Objects
      5. Step 4: Select Your Best Images
      6. Step 5: Edit in Raw
      7. Step 6: Set the Stage with a Clear Base Image
      8. Step 7: Organize from the Beginning
      9. Step 8: Select from the Chosen
      10. Step 9: Copy and Paste in Place
      11. Step 10: Refine Selections
      12. Step 11: Add the Mask
      13. Step 12: Paint the Mask
      14. Step 13: Use Clipping Masks for Isolated Adjustments
      15. Step 14: Use Clone Stamp to Remove Unwanted Fingerprints
      16. Step 15: Combine Techniques as Needed
      17. Step 16: Adjust Lighting and Effects
      18. Conclusion
      19. MASTER VOICES: Josh Rossi
    3. Chapter 13 Big Store, Big Scenery
      1. Step 1: Photograph
      2. Step 2: Build a Photo Palette and Scaffolding
      3. Step 3: Sharpen and Reduce Noise
      4. Step 4: Plant a Foreground, Grow Depth
      5. Step 5: Mask the Big Box
      6. Step 6: Sink in the Scenery
      7. Step 7: Enter Grunge, Exit the X
      8. Step 8: Turn On the Fog Machine
      9. Step 9: Adjust the Final Touches
      10. Conclusion
      11. MASTER VOICES: Erik Johansson
    4. Chapter 14 The Hunt
      1. Step 1: Use Photography as Inspiration
      2. Step 2: Sketch Alternatives
      3. Step 3: Shoot the Subjects
      4. Step 4: Piece It Together
      5. Step 5: Mask a Group
      6. Step 6: Put Hair on That Mammoth
      7. Step 7: Adjust Mammoth Lighting and Color
      8. Step 8: Make Additional Alterations
      9. Step 9: Accessorize the Caveman
      10. Step 10: Cue the Volcano
      11. Step 11: Turn Up the Temperature
      12. Conclusion
      13. MASTER VOICES: Christian Hecker
    5. Chapter 15 Family Portrait Magic
      1. Step 1: Brainstorm
      2. Step 2: Set Up Lighting and Gear
      3. Step 3: Previsualize and Position
      4. Step 4: Shoot Each Vignette
      5. Step 5: Rate and Sort Images in Bridge
      6. Step 6: Gather, Process, and Compose the Family
      7. Step 7: Mask and Paint
      8. Step 8: Cloning and Hair Repairs
      9. Step 9: Add the Special Effects
      10. Step 10: Emphasis and Composition
      11. Conclusion
      12. MASTER VOICES: Holly Andres
    6. Chapter 16 Epic Fantasy Landscapes
      1. Step 1: Lay the Groundwork
      2. Step 2: Work on Scale and Perspective
      3. Step 3: Fill in the Scene
      4. Step 4: Go with the Flow: Convincing Water
      5. Step 5: Plant the Tree
      6. Step 6: Build a Cottage, Rock by Rock
      7. Step 7: Brush in Thatch from Scratch
      8. Step 8: Build a Two-Board Waterwheel
      9. Step 9: Cue the Birds
      10. Step 10: Polish the Effects
      11. Conclusion
      12. MASTER VOICES: Andrée Wallin
  11. Index

Product information

  • Title: Adobe Master Class: Advanced Compositing in Adobe Photoshop CC: Bringing the Impossible to Reality with Bret Malley, Second Edition
  • Author(s): Bret Malley
  • Release date: December 2017
  • Publisher(s): Adobe Press
  • ISBN: 9780134780856