Plan the composite
Always begin a composite with a clear vision. Create quick mockups of the different elements to help guide your toning and colour adjustments. An image may diverge but it always helps to start with a clear idea and an inspired visual palette when you open Photoshop.
Accurate selections
Creating precise and accurate selections with the Pen Path tool makes for believable composites. Although it’s a much steeper learning curve than other selection methods, it’s the industry standard and essential for cutting out various pieces in composite images.
Blending
Aside from compositing multiple pieces into one final image, consider blending and combining multiple exposures into the elements of your composite. If the dynamic range of the background is too great, use manual or HDR blending of the lights and darks.
Add drama
Placing different elements of the composite at varying degrees of depth within the piece not only adds to the visual drama and complexity, but can help guide the viewer’s eye and keep them engaged in the photo, which is the key to any successful visualisation
Chris Crisman
www.crismanphoto.com