magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

A bit brighter than my usual offerings, this is a forty-one layer composite. A little while back Heather asked me to describe my process when creating composites. It's usually rather hit and miss (I can hear RG saying we can see that!) starting with a browse through my image stock. In this case I came across a shot purposely taken toward the setting sun as I liked the way the light was playing on the grasses. Being on our dog walk ensured one of them was in shot and it didn't work out too badly. So, what to put with it? Well, I remembered I'd recently taken a shot of model Becky against a brightly lit window, so it was a good start. Bringing the two together showed that Maggie (the dog) needed reducing in size and the canvas needed stretching to accommodate Becky full height. Easy stuff. Then Becky's dress needed filling out a bit so fairly straightforward additions using parts of other shots taken on the same shoot, plus a bit more hair from the existing image. Then it was all about refinement - creating the grass shadows, a bit of frequency separation on the face and chest and general retouch techniques. Finally add a couple of Topaz light leak filters, toned down to taste. Sounds easy, took about a day allowing for breaks (which are essential when compositing in order to take a fresh look at things). Its not pro level but it's good enough for me once I have received some UHH critique, for which I am always grateful, and made an adjustments from that. That's the process. If anyone needs to know the 'how' of any of it I'm happy to advise through a pm but there are far more knowledgeable tutorials aplenty on the internet. Phlearn and piximperfect being my favourite go-to's.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Love it, Dave! The translucence of the dress and its color are winners - all around happy and magical, just the way I prefer my photography

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Very nice.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Good to see you Linda and glad you like it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thank you.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

How could any image with a frisky dog and young girl not be appreciated? I don't know the answer to that one. I appreciate it (and the extensive work it took to get the desired result).

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Bob, pleased to hear that.

MattPhox Loc: Rhode Island

Wonderful!

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

Very nice!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Nicely done and the result is beautiful.

Mike

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Matt.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Glad you like it Mike.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Incredibly lovely subtleties of technique and emotion. I have two considerations. First, her leg looks a bit dead and pasted in, perhaps because it does not have the color of her face and chest, while having a stronger edge than her hand at approximately the same distance from the camera. Secondly, the dog looks a bit too washed out, for its front to back evenness and in the eyes and muzzle.

I marvel at how well you unify the various parts of the composite into a believable moment and space. A fine grasp of that most magical of elements: light.

Also, it is very generous of you, and clearly done, to present your techniques and processes, especially the time one can expect to spend to do something well.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

This is Brilliant Dave. I can believe it took 40+ layers to get something this beautiful. Love the hair, the flowing dress, the dog, the light leak and the color of the light leak. Outstanding! 👏👏👏

I hesitate to say anything needs an improvement. I don't want to take anything away from all your efforts. I do wonder if the ladies leg is natural with the shot? I thought it was, let's say, bright. I wondered how I would try and improve it if it was mine and decided to try something.
I selected the leg with the quick selection tool, then click on Photo Filter. I felt her leg needed to be closer to her chest color. I picked 33, 48, 56, 0 in the CYMK area for color, same as part of her chest. I set the slider to 100%. It worked perfectly without looking like I painted it on. If you think her leg might need some adjustment give it a try and let me know.

To me this is a maybe yes, maybe no thing but might be worth mentioning. If I had created this outstanding composite I would mount it on glass and offer it for sale, as long as I had proper permission.

Please understand I don't want to take anything away from this absolutely beautiful picture.
Jim

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK