Compositing Techniques in Affinity Photo with James Ritson

Join our in-house Affinity Photo product expert, James Ritson, as he demonstrates a variety of techniques for compositing photographs and image content together.
This session covers making selections, quick masking, selection refinement, canvas resizing, sky replacement, fill layers, tonal blending, custom shortcuts, quick opacity toggling, non-destructive retouching, cutting out objects, scaling/rotating, textured brush masking, channel-contrast blending, brushwork, live filters, blend modes and adjustment layers-a fair amount to sink your teeth into!
Whether you're curious about compositing or simply want more non-destructive techniques under your belt, there will be something for you here.
James will be available on KZbin’s Live Chat for this session’s premiere on Thursday, 17 September 2020 at 4pm BST.
James has provided some free content to go with this session, you can download this from here: affin.co/ASCFC...
Find out more about James and see his personal photography and digital work at www.jamesritson... and on his social channels:
Instagram: / jamesr_affinity
Twitter: / jamesr_affinity
You can also browse through a myriad of articles written by James about Affinity Photo and photography over on Affinity Spotlight: affinityspotli...
Affinity creative sessions
Stay tuned to the official Affinity KZbin channel as every Thursday at 4pm BST we will be premiering inspirational creative sessions throughout September and October. The sessions will be led by top creatives who use Affinity or one of our in-house product experts and give you the chance to follow along as incredible artists, illustrators, designers and photographers work on a project using the apps.
We will be announcing the details of each weekly session on our social channels, so make sure you're following us on Instagram ( / affinitybyserif , Twitter ( / affinitybyserif ) and Facebook ( / affinitybyserif ) to stay updated.
You can find out more about the Affinity suite, including getting access to free trials, over on affinity.serif....

[@scottljunggren]

I have to say, for me, James's teaching style is perfect! He is clear, gives multiple ways to achieve what he is doing, his pacing is SO MUCH BETTER than most KZbin How-To's that seem to get more credit for how fast they complete their tutorials, where I am having to constantly pause, rewind, zoom in on the screen to see what seven button they clicked that .5 second instruction. really, really well done.

[@willwillis5186]

I really enjoy these longer sessions, where James doesn't just show one way to do something, but explains why and when one method might be better than another. And the shortcuts are wonderful! Thank you very much.

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

16:00 "We will remove it, because we're perfectionists." I am clearly in the right place.

[@holdways]

I agree - that's the best quote I've heard on a KZbin tutorial for a long time.

[@JBWritesBooks]

A timeless tutorial as useful today as it was 2 years ago. Thank you, James!

[@paulcharman8113]

James, these longer sessions are definitely so much better and this one in particular has been very helpful on the subject of compositions. Its the very slight tweaks/adjustments that seem to make all the difference. When you make the adjustments do you visualise what it should look like through the eye or your camera if you could take the exact same photo content or do you just make adjustments because you believe it improves the photo itself? Paul

[@epoelzl]

James, you are a gem! As others have commented, your clear and concise style and pace is perfection, and appreciate your immense insight of Affinity photo of using editing techniques I never considered. You are a perfectionist, with the humanity and skill to inspire all who watch! Stay safe.

[@brianhorrocks5757]

Really enjoyed that, great composite. Look forward to your next tutorial in compositing.

[@claudefiset]

I really like listening to your instructions. Hope to see and hear more.

[@ro4lol]

Barely anytime into the video and I just learnt Q for quick mask man I love this guy puts it all together for me. Subbed to James Ritson you are the man also awesome fantastic compositions at the beginning

[@KathleenRenninger]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your techniques.

[@jamessouttar]

Wonderful! I learnt so much from this. James really sets the standard for how to do software tutorials.

[@TheT2tracer]

Intake overload. lol Awesome video thanks for all the information and especially the short cut keys. As a beginner this help tremendously.

[@stevenwilkes558]

Thanks very much for clearly explaining how to achieve different compositing techniques. You should do more like this especially with the work you normally do.

[@Mark_KE8YCV]

Thank you, James. This session opened my eyes to a great many new (to me) techniques as I come up to speed. You seem like a nice guy, and I appreciate your honesty concerning indecision regarding tonality and contrast. With so many powerful tools at our disposal, I frequently find myself torn between options.

[@bunnyxmahgii]

Master of hotkeys! :D I can't wait to get this program installed! Thank you Affinity for being NOT subscription-based, hehe.

[@ferdinandoesposito8088]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, it's a perfect introduction to compositing with Affinity Photo.

[@eugenia.shou.]

I enjoyed watching this so much! Thank you, James!

[@beowulfschmidt6031]

Thank you again for your clarity and focus. Well done.

[@Mr.-J-2024]

Fantastic tutorial. I learned much about how Affinity works by watching. Great job. Thanks.

[@richarddavidson7282]

Thanks James! That’s brilliant

[@Gentleman_Songster]

I almost always go for a more contrasty look when I'm editing my photos, but I've seen some low-contrast images that look really great, and I ought to go for it more often. But I can't make up my mind about yours, James! Never mind; I've learned two or three things I didn't know, so I'm very happy. Thanks!

[@jorgep519]

Thank you! James, excellent tutorial. I am new at this.

[@mrMinstrel]

Always enjoy and learn from your teaching...thanks James!

[@brianhudson106]

Thank you for this James. Being new to this kind of work I find it fascinating to watch and listen to you putting things together.Absolutely amazing.

[@EdKenUK]

Loved this, thank you. Great techniques! But massive thank you for introducing me to photobash!!!

[@billdungan3709]

James, these are just so great! I was wondering what percent of users are using iPad vs desktop. I would love you to do a full iPad course . I’d be happy to pay!

[@duncanmackay3711]

Thank you James for taking the time to help us better understand the power of Affinity. I really enjoyed watching this (again!) and you explain your workflow process so well. Right, I'm off to purchase your Atmosphere Assets!

[@bricewillous503]

Was looking for tuts showing Affinity capabilities and how it works. I plan to leave PS but before wanted to get an idea of this soft. There is no better example than analogy and concrete ones like inside this video ! Thank you James !

[@stevejacob4375]

Very enjoyable, a lengthy session and very instructive. A lot to take in but can always go back and re-run. now getting hooked on shortcuts. Thanks James looking forward to much of the same in the future

[@MS-xq7eg]

why have i never heard of color decontamination before. it would have saved me a lot of hassle. thank you so much james!!

[@gregoryjamesboyce]

Oly jumpin that was so good! Inspiring. Motivating. Educational. And James, I enjoy the experience of your personality. Thanks.

[@JamesRitson]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@yassinedjebbari4819]

Thanks alot, really clear and on point teaching

[@hughscott2722]

Really helpful, James. Worth revisiting many times as our skills and needs / ideas expand. Thanks a lot.

[@johnbates7971]

Thanks for the shortcuts. Writing notes on this and will practice - really helpful, especially output to new layer on selection refinement

[@charleshenderson4848]

Thank you James, great video. Like the new presentation a lot, more informative and relaxed. Keep them coming!

[@bonnyvariety9520]

I leant a lot today. Thank you very much.

[@lindakantes873]

How I wish I could follow this ! I get so muddled up with layers ... super video

[@imaginarycolleagues1243]

Great video, James 👍 Would really like to see a session with a more fantastical work, like in the intro😊

[@Hendoneabdar]

Thank you James! Good explanations as always

[@Zwiesel66]

That's a super impressive tutorial for a total beginner like me, thank you for all these valuable information. Those examples are very inspiring.

[@annharrison1701]

Oh James, please more of these! Love to see your work flow.

[@flatdim]

The Creative Sessions are great stuff. Carry on.

[@TheSaumon15]

Wow a great revision of many techniques ...Thamks

[@palgyomai9443]

Brilliantly presented brilliant tutorial. Thank you!

[@nerrelloader4226]

Thank you so much for this tutorial session. It had so much in it and I will go back and watch it over and over as my skills increase over time. Thank you and take care. :)

[@citizen85]

Man, both end results look great!

[@Artistram3d1]

Bravo, what a great tutorial! I'll be revisiting this one for composites that I make in AP. Thank you so much!

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

I always go with huge contrast, but that scene looked very 50s-adventure-movie with lower contrast. Excellent information; so much I can use here. Thank you.

[@tikevangogh7227]

A great tutorial. Thank you very much James.

[@razeroxo8068]

Thanks for this compositing tutorial much appreciated

[@tomaswilde5481]

Very interesting, really exciting; thank YOU very much!

[@barbhagger6569]

Brilliant, can't imagine ever getting to this level, but lots of great techniques. Thank you. And I prefer the matte look

[@clivedowning4200]

James great video. Teaches so much in one go. One ask ,are you able to share images via a link if possible, as I find this really helps. Love V2 of affinity.

[@MortenSchouenborg]

Color decontamination - that's a new phrase for me, thanks for the great tutorial!

[@hilaryhartigan]

Catching up, so good on techniques that I use infrequently and quickly forget!

[@LiontHD]

Amazing video! Very helpful, thank you!

[@xzenor]

Wait, what? I can use the crop tool to expand the canvas??? Why didn't I know this before? 😳

[@davidserrano8463]

I know huh 🤣

[@JessicaPradoHanson]

It feels like magic doing it still!

[@xzenor]

Great tutorial! Learned some new techniques. thanks!

[@marvinspates924]

I love your videos!!! I have so much to learn!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

[@blenderpete]

This was really helpful for me. Thank you very much for sharing, Sir :)

[@davidstraker8336]

Excellent video, James. Many helpful tips. I like the conversational style -- it suits long-form rather than a more clipped style that may be better for short instructional pieces.

[@imzaazmi]

Professional work ..you the best 👍👍

[@wiltona4753]

Great job with explaining all the details.

[@lynnemarafino83]

Awesome presentation! Learned a lot, thanks!

[@Taurrain_Art]

Great tutorial! And the finished project looks so dope!! Looks like an album art piece.

[@heyitsdiggy]

Loved it, I know you said it wasn’t the most exciting composition, but it really was perfect to show tonal techniques, I’m undecided on the final look too but if I was pushed I’m say the matte look. I usually rest on a matte look for my own images.

[@cliveyoung6334]

A great tutorial and I prefer the matt look.

[@jostak3577]

Another great tutorial - Thank you so much for this. :-)

[@Goldmangun]

Brilliant as always James, thank you!

[@tony.kmullinsstudio818]

You do good work, Sir James. :)

[@nelsonsoares2281]

amazing class I really liked it, thanks

[@LanzaroteShowcase]

Very good, thank you so much! I like the matte but with maybe less blue in the shadows. Loads of things to learn here, I will be revisiting this I am sure! Oh, and subbed 100%

[@cgomes12]

Thank you! You are a great instructor.

[@Muhammed.Yaseen]

I would like to comment that the video was great, the tutorial was awesome, etc. (Which is 100 percent true) BUT What I was thinking throughout the video was that James looked a bit more friendly and light humoured in this video. Lol. 😂❤️ The other Affinity tuts featuring James just made me think James more like a strict teacher who's always angry vibes. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ This is wonderful. 😁 Smile more, James!

[@ClintLoweTube]

Thanks for the tips, James.

[@louismolino8674]

Thanks for the content. Very nice presentation.

[@JMJWill]

Thank you, contrast!

[@123goforme8]

True, contrast 😺

[@queekao3540]

Very useful tutorial!!!!

[@tonyb2760]

I personally prefer the more contrast version. Thanks for sharing

[@maryritson814]

Super presentation, James.

[@CyndiCaviedes]

I have been wanting to use another software other than photoshop for compositings and now, finally I can leave adobe!! Yeah! Buying affinity. Great tutorial.

[@jrkettleman1776]

Thanks, James you have done it again. I have used compositing for awhile now. This video helps with a lot of questions I have had on compositing. Now, which drive did I put all the cloud images I took last year????

[@phlotographer]

there is a great program that you might find useful -- Search Everything . It is freeware and will search all attached or installed drives so if you gave the main folder the name of "clouds" it should be able to find what you need. A good idea is to create sub categories based upon the direction of light so you can match to the main image of the photo.

[@billdungan3709]

I like the more contrast look

[@RiccardoPareschi]

Great video, some new tricks . Thanks !

[@fredwilsenack8634]

Great video. So many takeaways here. Thank you for the time and effort it took to create this. Question - at the 19:11 mark when you've cut out the plane there's some grey fringing at the back of the plane in the transparent area (as well as a bit around the bottom). I sometimes get that as well when I refine my selections. Can you tell me what causes this? I never know if I should be worried about it or not. Many thanks.

[@gosalh]

Amazing stuff!!!

[@goodvibes4014]

The aircraft itself needed some more dodge and burn for that popping effect. Moreover a huge body like that that should have a prominent shadow opposite to the direction of light.

[@blademanu7]

Really cool 😎 thanks 🙏

[@elcasa6587]

Hey James, I really enjoy your tutorials. Forgive me if I asked you this on another video. I need help with my ruler settings: When setting my work space or a new document, I show my rules (top and left side). I'll set it for inches and maybe 8.5 x 11. Most of the times, the ruler shows inches... but sometimes, my ruler shows a bunch of numbers or a different measurement. How do I configure it, so that it shows the measurement (inches) that I want to see? In advance, Thanks for your direction!

[@TrystwithTableTennis]

Hello, pls help! the zip file i downloaded from the description box has 2 pdfs and 2 other file types. nothing in my PC can open it, including affinity photo.

[@bobn19uk]

An absolute genius

[@davidserrano8463]

Very informative video

[@davidserrano8463]

I like how he experiments with options

[@garyhunt8455]

James - what program works when trying to open your free content from above.

[@hermannschmidt9788]

Very cool demo! It still confuses me that nested layers stack top to bottom whereas the top-level layers bottom to top. Or am I mistaken again? Well, I guess Photoshop has introduced this and everyone follows along.

[@warrennelson5190]

I'm puzzled, after following these steps to create a new layer from selection, all I got was an empty screen with no image or a new layer. Using Affinity 1.10.8

[@Jetjai]

Hi from Portsmouth

[@pianomusic8033]

Yoda-level Affinity skills :-)

[@robsteer8176]

Matt mate, eye opening stuff, artistic technology afficanado

[@fantastiqueberliotz1209]

As a beginner, I really wish that instructors would use the actual program options rather than short cuts and the ones they've created. Also, moving from one step to another is great for advanced students, but for those of us who are neophytes, trying to follow along step by step, the instructors are going too fast. They seem to assume that all viewers know almost much as they do about the program. Keep in mind that newbies are trying to follow the cursor clicks on each option/step the instructor is making. One of your best instruction videos I've watched as your new, "Using 'Dreamphography' brushes in Affinity Photo2 with Felix Hernandez. The man took his time and showed every step he took to create his finished photo. I leaned so much in that one video than I have watching many of the other Affinity tutorials I've watched. Please create more tutorials like Felix's tutorial.