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Thank you. Was absolutely perfect conditions to try some silhouettes :)

A little tip for your first go: Use a really simple background - a plain wall without shadows or a plain coloured backdrop (black is good). That way when you lay the images over the top of each other, you won't have to match things in the background exactly. Like vertical lines on a wall *cough*

So looking forward to see what you guys come up with. And thank you, Roova :) I knew I had more to add, but it left my brain. This method is super awesome for head swaps. So when you want one image of everyone looking at the camera and smiling, but someone is blinking or looking away or whatever. I didn't use a tripod for this, but combined these two images (SOOC - just converted to jpegs): To this: The teacup one was a combination of these two: And the final image again:

A composite is two or more images combined in PS. So you will need PS or PSE (I think it can be done in PSE). A tripod is also very handy, depending on what you are shooting. The camera really needs to remain in exactly the same position, so the images can be combined successfully. This is pretty much how I do it: It's very handy for creating images that might be a bit impossible IRL. A good example is photographing babies safely - composites are (or should be!) used. Here are a few of mine: (if you look closely at the underside of the couch, you can see where I stuffed up): (screwed up at the top left corner of the ceiling here): (Liked Lola better in another image, so combined two): (got Lola to look at me behind the camera and then combined it with another):

Yeah, the camera often won't like to focus when shooting directly into the sun because it can't 'see' any contrast, if that makes sense? You need someone or something to stand in for you.

If you like, I can create a new thread for those who would like to try?

Yes. Usually one laid over the top of the other and you brush back a bit of the top photo to bring the bottom one through. It's actually quite easy, the hard part is taking them so they line up properly when you lay one over the other.

Gap - I have never done a backlit selfie because it's super tough, so well done. Not only is the focus a challenge, but the exposure is really hard without a real person there to expose for. I would probably try and rope someone in to stand in your spot so you can get it right, otherwise it's just going to be a lot of trial and error. You did really well.

Oh yeah, I think that's weird too :laugh: But they call their highschoolers about to graduate seniors.

Engagement shoot, a shoot done before the wedding to get the couple used to being in front of the camera.

Yep, that counts :) You guys are doing so well with this. One from an e-shoot this afternoon :)

To protect babies necks, yes, it should be a composite. MWACs and weekend warriors don't realise that though and I've seen some horrifying examples of them propping heads up on hands

Yeah, that's the case. I've heard that there's a loophole - take a photo of the texture you already have, but I wouldn't bother, just in case. Judges see texture as a bit of a fad anyway. Another irritating rule is that you can't have composites in the family category, which is so silly - because lots of those posed baby in stuff images should be composites. If they aren't, they are putting the baby in danger. Grrrrr.

Nice CM :) Do you have the Canon version?

Jo, if you go as far as APPA, you cannot enter an image with someone elses texture over it. It has to be all your own.

I learnt on a Pentax ;)

Find the layers menu along the top, drop it down and hit flatten image :)

Did you merge the layers?

Spot on :)

It's definitely softening it.

I love texture and use it all the time, but it's pretty subtle.

It could be photobucket.

Oops, sorry Pers

Ah, I thought they must have been! Are you sharpening? Because they still look a touch soft to me (but it could be just me!).