Composite images

In my first blog I spoke about Erik Johansson and his dreamlike creations using layers and masks in Photoshop. Using layers and masks doesn't always have to lead to the creation of a composite image on a grand scale, it can be done to correct or slightly alter an image.

         A photography friend of mine was recently asked to take a family photograph (mother & 3 children) and digitally add a 4th child who couldn't be present on the day of the shoot. 

In this instance, as a photographer we should be able to look past our moral compass and not overthink the truth (or lack of truth) in an image.

In the example below I have created an image based on a similar idea to show how easy it can be to deceive people with composite images.

The original image had the unfortunate sight of a dogs anus on show, not something you would like to present to a client after a pet photoshoot. 

In a matter of minutes I had removed the second dog all together to a pretty decent standard. 

I then decided to further this composite by taking a photograph of a stray cat in my garden at home.When I took it's picture the cat's front paw was slightly over hanging the wall. This allowed me to make the composite more realistic by anchoring the cat to a section that would make it appear as if its interacting with the 3 dimensional nature of the sand.

I also used a hue and saturation adjustment layer on the cat to make the image more believable. 

This use of Photoshop can really save a photographer if he misses someone from a wedding image but has other photographs of the missing person from earlier or, later in the day.

My composite image in 3 stages.