UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

The cheetah is from the Little Rock Zoo in 2014. No AI, all of the other elements are from my library. The background is a combination of seven layers. Thought I'd share.

If you would like, Please click on the picture, doing so will link you to the gallery page where the shot can be seen in higher resolution and full page. Thanks for viewing and Have A Blessed Day !!!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

More beautiful work, Buck!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Stunningly gorgeous.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank You Mike, I appreciate it !!!

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank You so much Linda 😊👍

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Another of your beautiful composites Buck. I wish you would do a short tutorial on how you construct your amazing backgrounds, please.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank You Jack, glad you enjoyed it. The short answer to your question is trial and error. In composites like this the first layer is always a psd of just the subject, in this case the cheetah.

I knew I wanted the trees as a main element but the first layer was a blurred floral picture blended softlight at low opacity which gave the color behind the trees, sometimes partially masking out areas, above that 2 of the tree layers one using hard light and the other darken blend modes, always adjusting the opacity or fill to taste.

Next a texture layer converted to b/w, in this case a shot of some concrete using darken
- then an abstract layer blended with color burn for additional color
- next a portrait background layer with a vignette, using overlay
- an atmosphere layer, fog, using screen blend mode
- above that the moon brushed on a new layer
- and above that a light ray blended using screen.

I also use a mask on the various layers to be able to brush in or out how much of the texture I wanted to apply to the subject, or remove it from areas I didn't want it to influence.

Above the background layer group each on a new layer I added by brush the deer, the birds, and some additional fog, layer stamp then into camera raw, and finally a gradient map shadows to highlights for toning.

If memory serves I went through more than a dozen elements to find the background combination I wanted, hence the comment of trial and error. Making a background like this can be the most time consuming part of the composite, but can also add so much to it. Hope it was helpful.

Dave

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thanks Dave

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

You’re welcome 😊👍

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much for the detailed work flow, UncleBuck. I edited your very long single paragraph into shorter bits that I hope will be easier to follow. However, it's quite possible I was the only one who couldn't absorb all that in one bite

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank Very much Linda, you've definitely improved it !!!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Wow UncleBuck, thank you! Your work is always inspiring. Knowing now how complex the many steps you took to create that stunning background extends my respect for your craftsmanship and aesthetic. I appreciate your detailed workflow description very much. Nuanced composites require a lot of thoughtful work.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank You very kindly, I appreciate it very much !!!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Having told Jack some of his pictures are too dark I’ve come to the conclusion it’s more my bad habit of looking at stuff on my iPhone than a fault of the photo-artist doing the posting! This is an image to be viewed full screen 27”! And it’s very nice Dave. I especially like the tree element. Those interested in producing this type of background and the use of textures could do worse than look up Janey Lazenby, she specialises in the use of this sort of thing.

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

Thank You very much Dave, I hadn't heard of Janey, but I'll certainly look her up, Thanks Again !!!