Photoshop Compositing: Matching Light and Color with Stock Images

Creating realistic composite images in Photoshop requires more than just cutting and pasting elements together. To make surreal scenes look truly convincing, you must understand how to unify disparate stock images through consistent light, shadow, and color. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental principles of professional compositing, helping you transform separate images into a single, cohesive artwork. What you'll learn: Understand the core principles of light direction, quality, and color temperature; Apply non-destructive adjustment layers to match color tones across different stock photos; Create realistic shadows and highlights that respect the established light source; Master advanced blending modes and masking techniques for seamless edge transitions; Utilize modern selection tools and AI-assisted workflows to isolate complex subjects; Combine multiple stock assets into a unified composition with depth and atmosphere. You will start by learning key terminology and foundational rules of light and perspective before moving into written, step-by-step guides that walk you through matching exposure, color grading, and final atmospheric blending. This course is designed for beginners who have a basic familiarity with the Photoshop interface and want to transition from simple collages to realistic, professional-looking composites. No prior compositing experience is required. Start reading today to unlock the secrets of seamless visual storytelling.