Compositing images in Photoshop

How to seamlessly blend multiple images in Photoshop, a useful technique for real estate and fun photo projects as well. I also show this example and others in more detail in my real estate photography series at amzn.to/3mFoznx

[@oswaldoginoabreu8904]

Obsessed with all these videos. I've never seen anyone that eloquent. I swear, I play these videos as background just to hear you speaking about Photography. You are a HUGE contribution to all of us. Thank you immensely!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks Oswaldo, you just made my day :)

[@oswaldoginoabreu8904]

Nathan Cool Photo you are so welcome! I realized that you offer remote training! I’m in LA, Hollywood area! Would you be interested in doing a photo shoot together instead of a remote training? I’d love to hire you if you are available! Thank you

[@p.burley4533]

These are the best post-prod. tutorials. I am finally learning the parts of Photoshop that have for years evaded me!

[@irabrucelevine]

Very informative. Thanks, Nathan. This is a video I'll watch over and over again until I learn your technique, and get it right.

[@viagensebabados]

You're amazing. Thank you so much.

[@27chaz]

I appreciate the time you put in your tutorials for I am learning from them. I also purchased 4 of your R.E. digital books on Amazon. Photographing Interiors, Exteriors, Lighting and Advanced Editing to start. I'm still in book 1 but will be reading them all and will buy the others. The books are a great help for learning. Tips for all on a low BUDGET. 1) Nathan's books are affordable for the serious Photographer who needs help, like me. 2) Last year I found a used Canon 5D MII on Amazon for $529 having under 3K shutter count. I got a used Canon lens 24-70mm f4 IS USM for $629 from MPB. I really wanted to invest in the Canon 6D MII but I was able to get a very good full frame camera and Canon glass for less than the 6D. This past week I was debating on buying the Tokina 16-28 as Nathan mentioned. Didn't really have $700 but after searching a lot I found one for $399. Yes, a refurbished 16-28 f2.8 I ordered from Tokina and it comes with a 90 day warranty. Had it a couple days now and it works beautifully... So don't rush in to splurge buying. Take your time and research...

[@oldgrumpyjim5003]

Hi Nathan just finished your book and brilliant. Originally only started this as I was selling my house next year and got hooked on the compositing process, it is my intention to do the photography side myself but not having experience in property photography this was perfect Thanks again Jim

[@AlexanderCornel]

You and rich baum are both the nicest guys on youtube, thanks for all the tutorials!

[@glenz3375]

Nicely presented Nathan, one additional trick I use for getting an even blend when exposing for both halves of a room is making a mask and then using the gradient tool horizontally across the mask. I think the takeaway here though is compositing does not have to take a lot of time or be reserved exclusively for high end architectural work. In fact one minute extra in the field has probably saved you 10 minutes of color and exposure correction time in post.

[@jackiebuys3178]

Still working on this technique. Thanks for showing how.

[@josephblack123]

Another excellent tutorial. I've always liked that you call out your keyboard shortcuts as you're doing them.

[@DP-bi8qt]

Nice explanation of the process. And thanks for the tip with the flash on the window pull. I often get a glare on the window when I'm going for a window pull so I'll have to give this technique a try.

[@LanceSelgo]

Good job Nathan - thanks for continuing to share your knowledge!

[@diegoeidelman]

Very useful techniques Nathan! There is a long time a want to star using that. Cheers from Buenos Aires

[@marnienorris]

Thank you for another great tutorial. Ordering your book!

[@TheCrooksandCastle]

nathan, great video! i'm learning photography and this video is such a great asset to improve my photos

[@Fotoadsza]

Thanks as always for sharing your experience.

[@Pixinity]

always great stuff.

[@fpdima]

Hi Nathan - I just stumbled across this video. Really great info - thanks.

[@ItsPatrickGates]

Great Video Nathan! Keep it up!

[@DROCKIMAGING]

Great tutorial, as always! My question is, for the fun image at the beginning of the video, how did you combine multiple images of "you"? Specifically those of "you" that are directly in front and behind each "you"/overlapping each "you"? I have been scouring online the last 2 or 3 days trying to find tutorials for this, but have had no luck. Do you have another video tutorial or a step by step tutorial explaining that process? Love your RE tutorials, as they have helped me immensely! Thank you!

[@vansullivan236]

Great, thanks!

[@kirtg1]

thanks for the video, Nathan. how would you deal with the dark kitchen on the left? Or would you not worry about it?

[@AerialLensVideo]

THANKS for great video! Explains a lot, and very clearly. I DO wish there was a "way" - some kind of technique - to enable a great head on photo of a master bath with mirrors all over, thus making it possible to capture one of the most fantastic selling points in many homes; all I can do is sink myself and my camera lens almost BELOW the vanity surface. It appears no compositing technique could capture that holy grail? It's the one time I'd like to be a vampire (and we all know they do not reflect in a mirror). If anyone knows a trick to this, you do, Nathan.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Turn around, take a shot, mirror it in post, and distort it in. I talk about that trick in an older blog post at www.nathancoolphoto.com/blog/2016/7/the-invisible-camera

[@AerialLensVideo]

Oh my! So simple (I feel silly for not knowing this intuitively). THANK YOU, Sir! To be very honest, I received a similar answer as well from another KZbinr today - So Great! I really treasure smart, helpful people like you! Please keep up the great channel.

[@Avat6]

Thank you Nathan! It helps to get uniform colour throughout to some extent. However, did you notice shadow bleed on both far end corners? How can you fix that? I have been having issues with getting uniform light throughout without having shadows! Ended up spending lot of time on postprocessing

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Nope, shadows are natural, if you removed all the shadows your photos will lose realism.

[@akoziol90]

Hi Nathan, been using this technique ever since I first saw this video, and my clients love it! Quick question though, what spotlight is that that you're using for the window pull? Every spotlight I've tried either is too dim, or too focused and not a wide enough throw. I currently just use my flash, but it's much more time consuming. Thanks in advance!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

It depends on how much light I need. I like the XPLR 600, but I talk about it in more detail in my interiors book www.amazon.com/dp/B0755KXSL4 and there are some other tutorials on my channel that show that light as well.

[@simonmodera4831]

Thanks Nathan. Great pace! Question about that aircraft search light for window pull. What is it and would a 430EX RT II Speedlight slave to a 600EX RT II Master in hot shoe suffice - if so what would the flash settings be to the same level of light?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

That's an XPLR 600. It's a 600 WS self contained mono light. I use this more often than my older Rovelight, but this video will show a little bts with it compared to a speedlight: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJjXqIRvec9mZ5o

[@HenryYong]

Hi Nathan, great video. I have a question... When I do Multi flash for composition I have strong shadow on the ceiling. I noticed at 1:38 your ceiling doesn't have shadow. Could you please advise? Thank you!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks Henry. Here's a video where I show how to fix it, and what causes it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaq5eJSpq8ifbqc

[@jgreviews16889a]

Thanks for the videos. I've been watching all of your tutorials. Very helpful. Is there a way to do a window pull with a regular speedlight or isn't bright enough? I have the Nikon SB900. Thanks for your help.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You can. I talk about that in my interiors book: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0755KXSL4/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1

[@jgreviews16889a]

Thank you. I think I'm going to order that! Appreciate the help.

[@clubbedsandwich1128]

Hey Nathan! What are your thoughts on using the Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G lens for real estate photography?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Well, there are tons and tons of great lenses to use, and some of it relies on your budget, sensor size, market, and more. This is why the "whys" are more important than the "whats": it's not "what" lens you use, but all of the reasons "why" you could use it, and for what technique. I assume since you are commenting on an interior-related video you are referring to interiors, so I'd refer you to my interiors book which talks about interior gear in more detail, not just the whats, but the whys, here ya go: www.amazon.com/dp/B0755KXSL4

[@rhein-main-fotografiethoma9727]

Hi Nathan, thanks a lot from Germany. Is it possible to do this in PS Elements 15 (Import the Layers)?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Not sure about that, and with the low price of PS/LR combined, I wouldn't recommend Elements ;)

[@LanceSelgo]

Nathan quick Q. Obviously using the XPLR 600 to light the open living space is going to make editing easier when pulling everything together. However if you had only used a single light and didn't have that XPLR 600, would it have been tricky with the arched entry into the dining room? Would it be tricky having to mask in the dining room being more careful/precise around the arched wall transition? Or would it have been pretty similar to the end result that you show here in the video, with just one extra frame needed for the main living room by itself? I hope this makes sense.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Hi Lance, great question, and in a sense you answered it: it's a matter of time, which equals money ;) Lighting this room with all shots took about 2 minutes and editing was another 2 minutes. If I had to used just one light and fiddled with trying to edit all the transitions (i.e. from that arch) it would have taken longer. This brings up a great point why it's good to invest in good and multiple lights...it will save you time and money, so the lights pay for themselves. I hate chasing the next shiny photo bobble (the latest gear), but I do recommend investing in gear the will have a solid return on investment.

[@LanceSelgo]

Nathan Cool Photo Thanks, makes sense!

[@paulcarpenter3879]

Nathan, I am going to order the XPLR 600. Is there a promo code to use that help you to continue your tutorials?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

No, but I should set one up.

[@paulcarpenter3879]

Yes, I would use it to purchase my gear and support your cause.

[@PaulMrPKcom]

Hi Nathan. Thanks for your great vids. Which layer should be in luminosity mode, is it the ambient shot?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Yes. Why that is and how to do it properly is all detailed in my interiors book www.amazon.com/dp/B0755KXSL4

[@PaulMrPKcom]

I'm working right now on shots from my last job, first time with 600ws light and flambient technique. One more question, do you edit the raw files first in LT (more than just lens correction) before opening as layers ? I saw Rich Baum did it, I try so far to open unedited files only with lens corrections in PSD as layers, and after edit little the flambient shot back in LT. I have a feeling it's not always optimal... PS. Checked out your books, a lot of basic info I already know but I'm sure there is also more advanced things as well. I never stop learning so I will absolutly buy at least the advanced book. Maybe in teh future you can make a video course, for lazy people who dont read books ;)

[@PaulMrPKcom]

Are your books ilustrated ? With screens shots etc ?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Yes. The books contain tons of screenshots and diagrams, which is why I also recommend the e-book versions versus the paperbacks. The e-books allow you to zoom in on the screen shots and diagrams to see all the details.

[@sydneywoehler6818]

For some reason, when I do the layer mask and paint over my light stand, there is a ghost image of the stand. Why is that? It is driving me NUTS!!! What am I doing wrong?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

I have no idea, but it could be that you're opacity or fill for that layer is not 100%, or you are not brushing in enough of the layer. I offer one-on-one remote training if you get stuck, here's more info www.nathancoolphoto.com/training