DIY Network

Digital Darkroom: Compositing Use image-editing software to combine multiple pictures and create unique new images. From "The Whole Picture" episode DTWP-206

Have you ever wanted to combine two or more of your favorite photos to create a new image that's unique and interesting? By "compositing" images, you can do just that.

In traditional photopgraphy this "trick" was done in the darkroom using multiple negatives double exposures. With digital photography and image-editing software, you can do it right on your desktop--and without the chemicals!

This picture. . .

plus this picture. . .

. . .equals a brand new composited picture.

Composite images can be as simple as superimposing a skyline from one photo onto another to digitally layering multiple "pieces" of multiple photos to create a complex collage of images.

When compositing your digital photos you can be as creative as you want--building images that "bring families together" even if family members are far apart, or creating places that exist only in your imagination.

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In this lesson, The Whole Picture host Erin Manning explains the principles of compositing images using photo editing software. She also discusses the related topics of masking and layering.

Materials:

digital camera
digital photos
computer with photo editing software

Note: For this "digital darkroom" lesson, Erin used Adobe Photoshop image-editing software, so these instructions are based on the current version of that program and its interface. Other image-editing software packages typically offer similar capabilities and functions, though the interface and menu choices may be different.

. . .and add it here. . .

. .. or here. (Look closely.)

With the right software, even amateurs can achieve these professional looking "special effects." Want to see how it's done? Read on.

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