Introduction to Compositing: Creating Your First Composite Portrait

The Basic Principles of a Simple Composite

Before we dive into this composite project, there are just a few things to cover. Here we’ll discuss what kind of composite you want to make, the three keys to a simple composite, and choosing the right background for your subject. Then we’ll shoot our three source images.

Real or Fake: What Kind of Composite to Make

Generally, composite images fall into two “camps”: those that are created to look as real as possible, and those that are obviously not real (nor do they want to be). You probably see a lot of the latter type of composite every day. Think of the standard “clip art” billboard image of a realtor standing in front of a neighborhood. Or a team of dentists, all shot separately, but apparently ...