Character Composite

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Get ready to have a blast learning how to create character-based composite images with photographer and retoucher Glyn Dewis! Starting from scratch, Glyn will teach you every step in his process; from cool ways to use social media for brainstorming and communicating ideas to the importance of building your own stock image library while on location. Glyn demonstrates how he works with non-professional models and shows you how to bring all the elements together in Photoshop. Along the way you’ll learn numerous tips and tricks and leave the class inspired to go out and create your own fantastic composites.

Introduction (01:43) Join Glyn in a junkyard searching for background elements as he goes over all the concepts covered in this class.
Finding Ideas (04:53) Ideas can come from all over the place.
Sketching (05:14) Sketching out ideas helps to make the shoot more efficient. Everyone is on the same page.
Choosing Locations (02:33) You will need to find a location that you can use for background elements.
On Location (09:53) After gaining necessary permissions you will want to explore the location and capture elements you want included in your final shot.
Building Your Collection of Stock Photos (03:43) Whenever you are on location you should consider capturing a wide variety of shots that you can use to build up your own library of stock photos you can use in your work.
In the Studio (04:42) Sitting with the model for this shoot, Glyn shares a number of tips and tricks for working with non-professional models.
The Lighting Setup (09:08) Glyn walks you through his lighting setup and his thoughts on background choices before taking a few shots of his subject.
Making Selects (05:06) It helps to give yourself a little time between capture and when you sit down to review your shots.
Prepping the Portrait (08:11) Glyn starts his post-processing in Lightroom before sending photos to Photoshop.
Dodging and Burning (15:38) Dodging and burning brings out the character in the portrait.
Cutting the Subject Out (09:20) There are a number of ways to cut a subject out of a background. Glyn demonstrates his favorite method.
Building the Background (07:49) Now it is time to send the background elements to Photoshop to start putting them all together.
Putting the Subject in the Background (03:38) Adjusting the color cast on the subject to match the look of the background is an important aspect of helping the composite to look more natural.
Playtime (09:57) A few additional background elements can be a fun way to add more visual interest to the final image.
Conclusion (03:45) Glyn wraps up the class with a few ideas to help you get the most out of your composites.

Course Time: 01 Hours 45 Minutes

M. Hodgen

May 6 2013

I really enjoyed the course and the engaging presenter style. I also saw some Photoshop tricks I'd never seen before. Very well done.
P. Lanigan

Apr 27 2013

One of the best courses on KelbyTraining.com. Great instructor. Inspirational!
D. Kelly

Apr 11 2013

Great to have a course like this which walks through the development of a concept, the approach to working with non-models, lighting set-up & post production technique. A very insightful, informative and motivational course – I now want to get out there and try some character composites. The course is akin to reading a good novel - Glyn’s down to earth, easy listening style makes it an easy course to get into, the useful tips throughout each section hook you and keep you going to the next chapter and then before you know it it’s over, you’ve finished it and are left fulfilled but wanting more at the same time :-) More courses like this from Glyn please!
T. Simon

Mar 23 2013

Just watched this video---it was AWESOME! Literally the best time I have ever spent learning on this site. This course changed my editing and processing on the spot, and the few pics I have processed since then...can't even believe they are mine. Love Glyn's style, both as a photographer and as an instructor. Going through the whole process from concept to post production made it such a powerful learning experience. Cannot wait to see more of Glyn's stuff on the site!!!!
L. Paez

Mar 12 2013

Great course!!! Glen was so easy to listen to and made the steps just flow.
T. Blackwell

Mar 9 2013

This is an excellent class. Easy to understand techniques. An absolutely brilliant instructor from start to finish. Highly recommended.
W. Machuca

Mar 7 2013

Excellent class. Great teacher.
R. Van Leeuwen

Mar 4 2013

Glyn, you mention that it is important to keep fun doing it. You know? watching the video was fun too! I like the fact that you cover the entire process: from getting the inspiration, to building the moodboard, shooting the backgrounds (and some extra shots), to finally putting it all together. I will be watching this one a few times more!
J. Parcerisa Vilatarsana

Mar 3 2013

Glyn, I guess that you receive many texts for congratulations, and you know what? All they are right. You are excellent and your course has been extraordinary. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Very professional.
J. Wolfisz

Mar 1 2013

Brilliant class. Strait talking, easy to understand and full of great information.
M. Campos

Feb 28 2013

I've been waiting for this course since last November, it was worth the wait as Glyn explains every single detail. It's an amazing course that even my 7 year old son wants to watch. I hope to see lots more of Glyn and his courses on Kelby Training
K. Holmes

Feb 25 2013

Fantastic Class! Covered everything from how to plan out your photo shoot, what to use in the planning phase like apps, and tech tools. Shooting on location what to look out for, and then shooting the model in studio and the studio lighting. I thought his Photoshop work was brilliant and very insightful. Will definitely be reviewing this class again and again and again!!!!!
L. LIGGET

Feb 24 2013

Great tutorial! I learned so much and "had fun" while watching it. Very inspirational too. You did talk a little bit funny and used some weird terms such as "bonnet," "carry on," and "pounds." Just kidding---this is a wonderful tutorial and I'll be trying this out soon. Smashing!
R. Browne

Feb 23 2013

Well presented, full of information, a must see!
C. Reeh

Feb 22 2013

WOW !!! I just finshed this course and it is awesome! I probably have to go through it a couple of times but can't wait to experiment. Hope the wife is up for it and she will be signing a release. LOL! The course was great! And all others I have seen so far rate A+++ they are not like listening to somebody reading an instuction manual.
S. Healy

Feb 22 2013

A suburb class. As a teacher, you rock (as they say in the States). Everything is well explained and is made accessible to the less able!! Thank you Glyn! I hope to catch your in Wokingham soon.
V. Bortnik

Feb 22 2013

Fantastic course! Great insight into Glyn's great work.