Adobe Master Class: Photoshop Compositing with John Lund (Paperback)

~ (Author), Pamela Pfiffner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Compositing is the technique of melding multiple photographs together so that they appear to be one. As opposed to collaging, where a level of artifice is intended, with compositing, the art is in making the image, no matter how fantastical, seem "real"--whether it's a dog lounging poolside with a drink in his paw or a dramatic lighthouse beacon over a stormy sea--just two of the carefully crafted works of master photographer and digital compositer John Lund.

Adobe Master Class books allow readers to look over the shoulders of some of the top designers and artists out there. Adobe Master Class: Photoshop Compositing with John Lund begins with an overview of Lund's process, from initial inspirations (even walking by mounds of dirt can make him reach for his camera) to collecting photographic parts (a rusty chain, an exploded computer, and a manhole cover magically merge to become a ball and chain smashing a wall), to the Photoshop tools and tweaks that bring it all together. Lund walks readers through the creation of twelve of his best-selling images, focusing on specific techniques integral to each. For example, for his photo of a "herd" of motorcyclists charging towards the camera (actually built using just two bikers), he shows how he made precision selections using the Pen tool. Other techniques shown include using the liquefy brush to create a devil's ear, adding details to a street scene using the alpha channel, and selecting a complex treetop using the Color Range dialogue box. Not only has co-author Pamela Pfiffner made Lund's story a great read, she has ensured that there are lots of screenshots for all these tips. This is in no way a Photoshop how-to manual and beginners may get lost, but intermediate and advanced users will be eager to apply Lund's methods in their own work.

Lund, an early adopter of Photoshop (a controversial move for any photographer "back in the day"), has carved out a successful career creating digitally manipulated photographs for stock companies like Corbis and Getty. Rather modest, he makes no claims to be a Photoshop guru: "No doubt in some ways my work would be better if I did get more precise in my methodology, but when I get caught up in the flow of work, I don't want to be bothered by naming every layer and looking at histograms--so I don't.…I'm getting along just fine bumbling through my image making." This new book makes it clear that there's a lot to learn from this level of bumbling. --Angelynn Grant

Product Description

Many of acclaimed photographer John Lund's images are instantly recognizable. What's not instantly recognizable are the elements that make up these composite images or the Photoshop techniques behind them--to unravel those mysteries, you need this beautiful, full-color volume. In these pages, Lund and co-author Pamela Pfiffner show you not just how to reproduce his results but the creative process that generates them. The emphasis here is on simplicity: how to create extremely complex images using a few, fairly simple Photoshop techniques that even beginners can grasp. After providing an introduction to the creative process and conceptual imagery in general, the authors get to the heart of the volume: the images. Each of the 15 chapters deconstructs an incredible Photoshop compositing process showing the final image--in full-page, full-color glory--with an accompanying description of Lund's creative approach to the assignment, and a detailed, step-by-step explanation of particular techniques used in the project. So how'd he make that fire-breathing dragon? Why, with images of a pet iguana, flame, a wall, and the sky, of course!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Adobe Press (November 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321205456
• ISBN-13: 978-0321205452
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,723 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex Digital Compositing for the Rest of Us, February 8, 2005

By	A. Kelly - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While most Photoshop books, teach compositing techniques by building on very simple images, John Lund uses real complex-looking advertising images and breaks them down into the simple steps used to create them. I found that made it easier for me to visualize the possibilities of the techniques he teaches in the book.
Another aspect of the book that I think is really succesful is the personal perspective that the author uses which makes the book easier to read than other Photoshop books I've read, which often have the pace and humor of a manual.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in taking their photography further, this book can truly be read and understood by users of any level, and I never would have thought that a Photoshop book could actually be enjoyable to read.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Must have for any level Photoshop user., May 4, 2004

By A Customer

John Lund invites you into his studio, gives you a cup of coffee and lets you look over his shoulder while he works, all the while explaining what he's doing in a way that makes it easy to understand. And what he does is amazing!

This book is inspirational, not very heady (as in 'you could never in your wildest dreams ever do this') and practical (as in 'you can do this') with easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand steps to making some very unusual Photoshop illustrations.

The book has me thinking. I've been keeping a lot of photos I've taken with my digital camera for later use. With John's book I'm thinking of how I can do more than put someone's head on a cow. Compositing images is exciting, and John gives a lot to think about.

This book is human, kind, generous and it made me feel comfortable. John's attitude makes me feel like I can do it, and therefore, I'm encouraged that I can actually do things beyond what I might do on my own. His own story is inspirational and his techniques will get any level Photoshop user or photographer excited.

I highly recommed John Lund's Photoshop Compositing.

1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't worth the money, April 28, 2004

By	JOSE A OLIVEIRA (Lisbon, Portugal) - See all my reviews

The book as no CD or a pointer to a web location where you can download the images to practice. There is no point to explain the techniques if you don't have the images.

There are a lot of other books on Photoshop, that are no so beatifull illustrated, but that you can learn a lot more by following the step by step instructions.