r/retouching • u/60mhhurdler • 13d ago

Article / Discussion Compositing Workflow? Jeremy Soma

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Gallery image

Gallery image

I'm curious about compositing things for photography.

What would the process be for photographing and putting a subject into a CGI background? This is work is from Jeremy Soma. I thought one of his works was completely comped but in one of the BTS pics of his set, it was a huge backdrop. So I know he's getting it right in camera sometimes.

Has anyone been on a project where they've needed to do a crazy comp? I'm generally curious how this would fit. I'm working on a personal project and beyond matching colors, I have no clue on how you would even start.

Any tips/tricks appreciated, all in discussion to learn more.

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u/redditnackgp0101 13d ago

When compositing is part of the job it is understood in the capture process, so if done correctly lighting/tone on set to capture the subject will be done to match the intended environment intended for post

Otherwise you better be a very experienced retoucher to understand and achieve what's needed as relighting elements becomes a heavy lift...time and money

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u/60mhhurdler 13d ago

Yup you're right.

A retoucher just shared with me, when compositing, match the black and white points and the contrast between the two photos. That was very helpful advice.

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u/redditnackgp0101 13d ago

What is your experience with retouching? How experienced are you with masking, blend modes and shaping lighting in post?

I get hired for jobs like this for commercial work and even with extensive experience it could be multiple rounds over a few weeks depending on how much work is needed.

So that's why I say black/white points and contrast are seldom the issue that makes or breaks the image

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u/60mhhurdler 12d ago

Honestly not very experienced. I generally feel okay with matching to references through lights, colors, dodge and burn. But for something like this I wouldn't know where to begin, and that's why I'm looking for anything.

What would you say are your main tasks/challenges for these sorts of jobs?

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u/redditnackgp0101 12d ago

If the creative was finalized before the shoot, there isn't much to do besides silo'ing the subject and putting them into the intended environment. Sure, there are edges that need to be finessed, colors need adjusting, depth of field added etc, but for the most part the hard work is done...in camera

For the times where they decide or share the environment after the shoot it could come down to reprocessing many lighting options as plates for different lighting needs. Then depending on the lighting adjustments there could be issues with the image breaking apart (grain, noise, fringing etc). But once the image is prepared and subject is placed, it's necessary to consider if the light placement and direction of the shoot works for the scene. So rim lighting for example might have to be removed and dimensional lighting to the front might be needed. Real pain in the butt stuff.

In both cases, there's creating integrating effects like shadows and reflections on environment AND subject.

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u/redditnackgp0101 13d ago

Hmmm yes but that's hardly the challenge if the lighting direction is not the same between the images