Thread: Using images from a series for photo composition in adobe photoshop

Numerous pictures are clicked at photo shoots and often the one perfect picture is not there. Sometimes the pose of the model is correct, but the eyes are not open wide enough. And sometimes the expression of the face is perfect by the arms are twisted in some weird way.

Image editing programs make it possible: Simply create that perfect photo of yours by putting together several layers. While doing that, you can also take care of the small imperfections, such as dark circles, small moles or zits. In order to get expressive photos, you can even exaggerate the use of the image editing functions to some extent. Skin tones for example, often benefit from an additional saturation. The rule says: You like it, you use it. First select the individual subjects, which you would like to highlight to pep up the main picture. While doing so, make sure you pay more attention to the usable details than the entire picture. Then put the first picture as a layer on the main subject. It's best to get used to naming every layer distinctly and in a comprehensible manner. It eases working with several processing layers. When organizing the layers, the function 'Create new group' is also helpful.

To improve the details, first reduce the opacity of the top layer, so that you can position it accurately on the photo can not only be moved, but also rotated using 'Transform I Rotate'. As soon as the images cover exactly - only that area is important, which is to be optimized set the transparency to '100 0/0' again.

Under 'Layer I Layer mask I Hide all' now put a layer mask and then clear those areas of the picture, which are to be integrated in the original, with the soft brush. After clearing the required areas in the previous step, integrate the layers with 'Layer options I Reduce to one layer', or use the shortcut [Ctrl]+[E] to one picture. With the help of the stamp and the healing brush you can further refine the details, if necessary. Since all pictures have the same background, the task is relatively easy. This step does not take much effort, but has a great effect.

If more details need to be edited, you can continue working with other auxiliary photos. The composition of the image is then done and now it's time for some fine-tuning. Disturbing elements in the image can be easily and quickly removed with the healing brush or the copy stamp. Strands of hair dangling on the face or dark circles can be quickly fixed in this manner. Even goose bumps can be removed effectively using 'Filter I Noise filter I Dust and Scratches'.