Quick Composites From Photo to Finish

Already a member? WATCH NOW

Putting a photo of your subject on a different background (compositing) does not have to be painstaking work, nor does it require any expensive plugins or additional filters. Join Calvin Hollywood, German photographer known the world over for his stunning portraits, as he takes you from the studio to the desktop and shows you, step by step, how to create a realistic composited image that tells a story in less time than you think.

Introduction (02:35) Calvin introduces himself and talks about what he will be covering in the course
Studio Overview (04:27) Calvin explains his studio set up, the reasons behind background choices and prop placement, and the importance of having a team.
Styling for Compositing (03:12) Details matter when it comes to compositing - especially when you're telling a story. Making the clothes, hair and makeup match the final vision.
Camera Settings (05:37) Calvin shares his camera settings and white balance to achieve the depth of field and look he's going after. Plus, find out why tethered shooting is important in composite shots.
Every Picture Tells a Story (07:36) The story Calvin created for his portrait unfolds as he shoots to capture both the vision and the details of his story via technique and art direction.
Finishing the Shoot (05:18) You are in the studio, you got the shot, but why not take advantage of the situation to fire off some different shots to experiment with later?
Textures (04:33) You do not necessarily need the whole scene. Calvin explores the space around the studio to find textures for his composited background and to add to his personal library for a multitude of uses.
Raw Conversion (04:24) Calvin takes you through his Raw Conversion process. Your process may vary but here is what works for him in order to create his composite.
Converting for Details (06:12) Remember the importance of details from he shoot? Calvin converts his photo to bring out the most in his picture.
Getting Freaky with the Details (07:31) If the importance of details has not hit home yet, Calvin drives it there with his freaky amazing detail (FAD) technique.
Quick Retouch (03:59) Since it is not a beauty shot, a quick retouch with the healing brush is pretty much all you need.
Adding the Background (06:34) The reason behind Calvins choice of background during the shoot comes to light as he begins to build his composited shot without losing his original shadows.
A Wall Becomes a Floor (06:43) Using a wall texture from lesson 7, Calvin shows exactly how textures can become whatever to need them to become.
Shine a Light (04:13) Calvin shares the simplest aspect of his workflow that affects 99% of all his work - vignettes.
Color Manipulation (08:09) Experimenting with gradients, contrast and selective color to set the tone of the picture.
Textures Revisited (04:41) Calvin adds an amazing light-and-shadows effect to the composited photo with a picture of a grate from his textures library.
Artistic Touches (05:14) The artistry of Calvins workflow emerges as he adds his finishing touches freestyle, encouraging you to do the same in your projects.
Recap (04:27) Calvin goes over the entire lesson and gives a quick recap that will have you clicking on your own composites while muttering, Before. After. Before. After. in no time.

Course Time: 01 Hours 35 Minutes

M. Watson

Mar 6 2013

Loved this course. Calvin is great and has a terrific ability to explain these techniques. I enjoyed his sense of humour and enthusiasm. Very friendly style. His knowledge is amazing!
J. Metz

Mar 4 2013

Thank you...You were a great instructor and I learned some really useful techniques and ways to use Photoshop.
M. Kondapurath

Jan 28 2013

This is an awesome course! i like all of Calvin's courses as he explains techniques in a very simple way.
L. Johansson-Ax

Oct 20 2012

Absolutely totally inspiring. I have a number photo shots that I have been working with, but after this course I will go back and redo all of them. I love Calvin's way of working/instructing on two levels at the same time. He both adds hi level skill techniques at the same time as he repeats basic steps. Thanks to this it is impossible to get lost when following step by step. Now, step 1: applying my new knowledge on old shots. Then step 2: Follow all the other courses done by Calvin. That's all from Sweden for now..
S. Martin

Sep 20 2012

Calvin is one of the best instructors I have ever seen!! I love his tutorials!
R. Mehlenbacher

May 14 2012

love his techniques. more please!!
P. Robards

Apr 10 2012

The most wonderful tutorial I have ever done, Calvin has so much insight about composition, design and photograpy I am just bown away, No worries about posting my feedback. Pat Robards Australia
R. Warren

Feb 28 2012

Absolutely fantastic. Calvin is talented as a photographer, digital artist and instructor. And it's a bonus that he sounds like The Terminator! ;-)

UNLIMITED ACCESS

$199 PER YEAR $24.95 PER MONTH Subscribe Now NAPP Member $179/year, $19.95/month

Rent Course - $9.99
Watch as much as you like for 72 hours

Your Instructor

Calvin Hollywood

Digital Artist & Photographer

Calvin Hollywood is a digital artist, photographer, Photoshop trainer and author from Germany. He's a photography based artist who focuses on getting the perfect shot with Photoshop. In addition, he...VIEW FULL BIO»

VIEW ALL OF CALVIN'S COURSES
VIEW CALVIN'S WEBSITE