This is a step-by-step, beginner-level tutorial to create a simple but powerful composite. You'll use only 6 very basic elements to build this beautiful picture.

If you have a hard time following the steps, you can check out the resources listed at the end. These links helped us learn different techniques and approaches to composites, and we hope they help you as much as they helped us.

Now, onto the tutorial. All images used here are from Pixabay.

Step 1: Get a Base Image

Begin with a "base” or "background” for the composite. This is our starting image:

Step 2: Adjust the perspective

Our starting image is nice and clear and sets the mood for the rest of the composite, making it a good base. However, the perspective needs to be adjusted to fit the final image we want. So, let's adjust the perspective and stretch the image a little, vertically.

Step 3: Add features

Now that we've fixed the perspective, let's add some features to begin the composite. Add the shore with a skyline.

Use a simple mask on the layer of the sky and shore to bring out the parts that need to be shown. Choose a soft brush when using the mask to avoid harsh cut-off lines.

Step 4: Add key elements

Now that we have a beautiful scene, it's time to add key features. These create interesting points in the image that catch the eye.

Let's place a boat in the distance and resize it accordingly. Then, add a little boy and a cat in a trunk. For some extra character, let's place a small paper boat, floating on the water. As you add and resize elements, take the following into account:

  • Perspective
  • Scale
  • Rule of thirds 

Additionally, color-correct the elements and make sure the saturation of the elements matches. These steps make them look less copy/paste and more real.

  • Step 5: Add shadows

    Next step is to add the shadows. It will further integrate your elements into the scene. 

    Make a new layer, take a soft black brush, and create shadows. By putting the shadows on a separate layer, you can adjust the opacity to fine-tune the harshness of the shadows. Then, make a new layer and go over the meeting point of the elements and their shadows to bridge the gap. This helps blend the two together.

    Step 6: Add reflections

    Once the shadows are done, the reflections are next. Again, take perspective into account; pay attention to where the light is coming from and the way the shadows are falling in the background. 

    To create reflections on the water, simply make duplicates of the subjects and flip them. Adjust the perspective a little and lower the opacity. Remember to place the reflection directly under the subject. This will help you gauge how much of the reflection should extend to the water. Then make a mask on the layer and remove all parts of the reflection on non-reflective surfaces. In this example, let's remove the part of the reflection on the pier.

    Step 7: Crop as needed

    Our image looks great, but it's not yet done. Let's crop the image.

    As you crop the image, use the grid lines to check how the image draws the eyes to the main features. Align the shoreline and the pier with the top and bottom horizontal lines. Also, make sure that the boy crosses a vertical line because he is the main focus.

    This is just one way to crop the image. Feel free to experiment with different crops to see what you like best.

  • Final Image

    After cropping, we now have the final image.

    It was an easy, 7-step tutorial, but the results are marvelous. And with experimentation and practice, you'll create even more spectacular composites.

    Resources for Composites

    To help you on your journey, here are the resources we used when we created this composition.