Blending

Why Your Composites Look Fake (And the Lighting Math That Fixes Them)
Compositing

Why Your Composites Look Fake (And the Lighting Math That Fixes Them)

The first composite I ever built took me 40 hours. I was trying to get my first agency job, and I wanted to put something in my portfolio that would stop someone mid-scroll. I cut out every element cleanly, matched the color temperature roughly, and thought it looked great. Then I printed it and pinned it to my wall. It looked like a ransom note. Every element existed in its own little bubble of lighting, sitting on top of the background instead of inside it.

Master Layer Masking: The Foundation of Professional Compositing
Compositing

Master Layer Masking: The Foundation of Professional Compositing

Master Layer Masking: The Foundation of Professional Compositing If you want to composite images convincingly, you need to understand layer masks. I’m going to walk you through the techniques I use on every composite project—from simple background replacements to complex multi-layer blends. Why Layer Masks Beat Erasing When I started compositing, I made a common mistake: I’d use the eraser tool to remove unwanted parts of a layer. The problem? That’s destructive.

Master Layer Masks: The Foundation of Professional Compositing
Compositing

Master Layer Masks: The Foundation of Professional Compositing

Master Layer Masks: The Foundation of Professional Compositing If you’re serious about compositing, layer masks are your best friend. I’ve spent years perfecting composite work, and I can tell you that mastery of layer masks separates amateur edits from professional results. Today, I’m walking you through exactly how I use them on every composite project. Why Layer Masks Matter More Than You Think When you’re combining multiple images into one seamless composite, you need control.