Lesson Info
60. Closing Thoughts
Lessons
Class Introduction
09:16 2Why You Should Sketch Your Composite
03:25 3What to Look for in Your Background
10:51 4Posing Your Model
08:23 5Communicate with Your Team
10:34 6Elements of Compositing
31:36 7Learning from Failure & Criticism
12:27 8On-Location Safety Tips
03:42How to Nail the Right Perspective for Your Composite Photo
07:15 10Gauging Light & Exposure On-Location
03:49 11On-Location Posing
18:37 12Cliff Shoot Location Final Thoughts
12:03 13Tips for Culling Images
09:41 14Culling Images Q&A
11:29 15Preparing Your Image for Composite
07:18 16Composite Image Cleanup
11:01 17Adding Background Image to Composite
17:04 18The Difference Between Flow & Opacity
05:41 19Composite Sky Elements
20:58 20Using Curves to Color Match
05:43 21Adding Atmospheric Depth to Image
17:08 22Using Color Efex Pro to Manipulate Color
07:37 23Using the Liquify Tool
05:15 24Color Theory & Monitor Calibration
10:35 25Adding Smoke Layer to Image
07:55 26Selective Sharpening
05:18 27Crop Your Image
02:29 28Goal Setting for Digital Artists
04:39 29Review of Location Composite
01:57 30Understand Angle & Height for Your Base Plate Image
06:15 31Base Plate Focus Point
04:45 32Base Plate Lighting Tips
06:10 33How to Use a Stand-In for Base Plate Image
03:47 34Capture On-Location Base Plate Image
05:57 35Student Positioning Demo
09:05 36Base Plate Sketching
07:33 37On-Location Sky Capture
01:53 38What to Look for in a Base Plate Model
14:30 39Building Composite Model Lighting
10:03 40Composite Model Test Shots for Angle Matching
19:48 41Composite Model Shoot: The Art of Fabric Throwing
13:34 42Composite Model Shoot: Working with Hair
05:45 43Composite Model Shoot: Posing Techniques
21:26 44Composite Test with Final Shot
06:12 45Lighting Setup Overview
04:52 46Culling Model Shoot Images
03:35 47Adjusting Skintone Colors
04:54 48Merging Background with Model
04:54 49How to Mask Hair
09:49 50Creating a Layer Mask with the Brush Tool
14:23 51Creating Shadow Layers
07:10 52Removing Visual Distractions with Stamp Tool
07:11 53Replacing Sky with Layer Mask
05:15 54Drawing Hair Strands and Atmospheric Depth
10:30 55Creating Contrast in Your Composite
12:23 56Adding Atmospheric Elements
06:43 57Using Particle Shop
11:47 58Selective Color Adjustments
07:58 59Cropping, Sharpening, & Final Touches
10:29 60Closing Thoughts
05:52Lesson Info
Closing Thoughts
So for people who are wanting to get into this, whether you want to do it for fun or you wanna do it for a living, I'm gonna be very honest and say that you have to get some thick skin. Because people are gonna be out there, and I read the section yesterday and there are some people out there that suck. There are some people out there that are not nice and they're gonna say terrible stuff about you and the work that you're doing. They don't know you. They don't know the first thing about you. But they're gonna say awful stuff. (laughs) It's gonna happen. So if you are out there and you wanna create content and you wanna put it out there and you wanna work your ass off and get onto a platform like this, be ready that people are gonna say horrible stuff. (laughs) And it sounds horrible but it's true, but the other side of that that's really, really awesome is that nothing is better in this kind of a career than being able to give back. (laughs) And this where I get emotional. I think it'...
s like PMS time or something, but the best part of my career is being able to help people. And it's being able to see the expression on somebody's face when a little puzzle piece falls in. (laughing) And here we go. (laughing) But it's true, the best part of my job is not necessarily making images. It's not traveling. It's not anything else, but it's being able to reach out and being able to give back and to give hope to people who are sitting there and all they are seeing on the internet is stuff from people saying horrible shit to them. And to know that it's okay, and to stand up and that you're better than that, and that there's nothing better than being able to make amazing artwork and to share it with everybody else and to be able to give hope. And that I think is the best thing ever (laughs) (audience clapping) That's awesome. Thank you so much that was really great. (Renee laughing) You definitely are inspiring. So many great comments that I know you're gonna be reading on the page. I'm totally reading them so those of you who are saying nasty stuff, I'ma find you. (laughs) From Ed, Ed said "Spectacular!" With an exclamation. "Thanks for the detailed information "to creating reality with composites these past few days "has given me a lot of insight on the amount of work "that goes into this entire process, thank you." Belfy says, "Please let her know "she accomplished creating amazing images. "That they entertain and are informative, "so thank you very much." And one last one, "This really helps inspire. " I wish I didn't have to eat or sleep so I can spend more time on compositing." (laughs) Yeah. = So yeah, it's all about the time. It's a big part of it. Absolutely, if you want to master something, it's time in. A lot people are sitting there and they'll ask me, "Hey can I get a portfolio review?" and, "how can I get better? How can I get better?" Man, it's hours. It's hours you have to log the time and it's cool. I haven't' found a fast way to it other than, oops, I haven't found a fast way to it other than trying to get those 10,000 hours in faster and faster and faster. It's 10,000 hours, however long that takes you. It's 10,000 hours or 10,000 hours, whether you get that in five years or whether you get that in 15 or 20 years. It doesn't matter, but it's your 10,000 hours. So you're gonna have to clock time, because I mean, we went from really quickly, yesterday we did this. Yeah. And really quickly. To be honest, to do that in an afternoon is quite fast. And what I want to remind everybody is that you can do this with an iPhone. You can do this with a point-and-shoot. All you have to do is make sure that your files are the same quality. That's what makes it easy. If you're out there with your iPhone and you're taking photos, I mean there's thousands of millions of people doing iPhonography right now. And there's apps where you can mask things out, there's apps that you can do all of that stuff. It's all good. I'm not a snob, and I don't think any of us should be a snob of like "Oh well you're not shooting that on a 5DS, "you're not worth anything." Stuff it. (laughs) If all you have is a point-and-shoot and you want to make stuff, you can do this with a point-and-shoot. You just need a little bit of software. (laughs) And fortunately right now, Adobe makes that kinda cheap. And if you don't have the money for that, there's apps that you can get on your phone that are cheaper yet. Who knows, you might be really smart and you might make an app that can do it for cheaper for people. You might wind up going into development and all of a sudden work for some of these companies and develop techniques and software that can make this stuff even more accessible to more people. We live in the age of the internet. We live in the age where we are absolutely connected and we ar not limited by money anymore. Yes, your phones are expensive, but my first camera was a beat=up, used (laughs) point-and-shoot that went to a Nikon D that I bought off a student that needed money for school. Then I bought a used 5D Mark One. And I borrowed a 50mil lens. Actually the lens I was shooting with today is still that borrowed lens. I don't even own it. (laughing) Mostly because he never used it and he never asked for it back. I've offered it back thousands of times, but you know, so you can rent stuff. You can borrow stuff. You can ask people. This is the age of where everything is possible so stop letting everything else pretend limit you. Open your mind get out there and do awesome fucking work. (laughing) I think that's a good note to end on. (Renee laughing) It's absolutely perfect. Get out there and do the work. So Renee, thank you so much. No worries. For bringing your passion and your inspiration and your beautiful, beautiful work.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
Dino Maez
i have to say, the class was AMAZING! in every way from the tricks and technique's of mastering this art form to the personalized attention given by Renee. through the class you are able to learn information that would normally take the average person years of trial and error. Renee gives you the gift of benefitting from her her experiences and what she has learned THE HARD WAY! Renee is an outstanding instructor full of passion for what she does, and with a strong desire to not only improve the art, but more importantly, pay it forward, by sharing her knowledge with others. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the event in person, truly a once in a lifetime experience for me, the staff at creative live were THE BEST! they are helpful in every way and really made this event something special, i can't say enough about the experience i had and would highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to go down for a class, it will be an experience that you will never forget. but the best part of creative live is that wether you are there in person or wether you are watching from the comfort of your own home, you are involved in the class in REAL TIME, you have the ear and attention of the skilled artist giving the instruction, being there myself i can tell you that Renee was regularly given questions and comments from the viewers via the creative live staff and she would respond to them as they came, in that way you are very much apart of the class you are never left without getting that personalized attention of an amazing artist or that specific question you have answered, and even better you have the option to purchase the class and have it as a constant resource in your tool kit that you can refer back to at any point that you need a refresher or want to recall that special technique that was demonstrated. thank you thank you to renee and all the staff at creative live you have a life long member in me. and i would recomend that everyone take advantage of this valuable resource dino maez
stephen lenman
I have completed many creative courses. This is by far the best so far. Quite the most amazing and inspiring presenter with a true passion for their craft. The core information is excellent, but the thing i liked most were her subtle tangents, dropping incredible information completely on the fly. A complete real world honest view of business and practical side of the industry. Especially her advice on how she started to her business. Saving up enough in her day job so she could pay the rent, and do photography for 3-6 months.
Sheldon Carvalho
Awesome class. I've been following Renee for a very long time. I love her work and to finally see her work and get an image done from start to finish was quite something.. I love the way she sees things and the way she treats her work and all fellow creative. I would recommend this to everyone interested in getting into composting. Looking forward to creating and making my own art work. But it now :) Have fun creating. :)