Realistically Compositing Glass into a Picture using Photoshop
If you’ve been following me here on Photillustrator for any time at all, you know that Problem Solving is the key ingredient to becoming a Master at Composite Photography. In other words, if you can’t Solve Problems easily, you’re going to have a heck of a time creating Amazing images and getting paid for it.
That’s why today I’m going to show you how to Solve the Problem of Realistically Compositing Glass into a Picture using Photoshop.
My vision with Photillustrator is to create Uniquely Different Portraits for Uniquely Different People, and the same holds true with you the Photographer. I want to create Uniquely Different Tutorials for Uniquely Different photographers.
We all know there are Photographers already out there creating awesome tutorials on a variety of different things. All necessary to become a Great Composite Photographer, but none of them really Solving the really complicated Problems we Composite Photographers are faced with on almost every project.
Well, along with some basic Compositing tutorials, I’m developing tutorials on the real Compositing Problems you’re faced with every day.
Realistic Glass Samples
One Problem I was faced with from the very first Composite I created, was how to realistically Composite glass to look as you’re actually seeing through it.
Here are a few Composites where I had to develop a way to Solve my Problem.
With each of the above images, I used the same basic technique, with minor changes based on other elements within the image, to accomplish that see-through look on glass.
How to Composite Glass Realistically
In this video tutorial on realistically Composting Glass into an image using Photoshop, I show you how to use layers and blend modes together to bring your glass from opaque to transparent.
Want to Composite something behind a window that you can see through? This technique works GREAT!
Want to Composite something into a glass that you can see through? This technique works GREAT!
Want to be able to see the background through a glass element in a Composite? This technique works GREAT!
I have found this Photoshop technique to be the best Solution to Realistically Compositing glass into your image, and I believe with a little practice, your glass will look as real as an actual photograph.
One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All
Like everything in Composite Photography and editing in Photoshop, what you do for one thing will generally never work across the board on all things.
While the technique I show you in this Video Tutorial “basically” works on all glass you want to see through, because of different elements within the actual photography or image you’re creating, you will have various other small tweaks you’ll need to do in order for your Composited glass to read as convincing.
Many times this means I’m using “color balance” and “curves” layers as well to bring my glass to a more realistic feel.
That’s a Wrap
Ok, everything you need to know is in the Video Tutorial on how to Realistically Composite Glass into an Image using Photoshop. It’s just a matter of sitting down and practicing until you master the skill.
If you have additional questions this Tutorial does not answer, don’t hesitate to Contact Me anytime.
Thanks for another great tutorial. This one was really handy but I am curious, why didn’t you shoot the measuring cup in the original photo instead of compositing it? Was it an after thought? Just curious but the tutorial is super helpful. I have had this issue many times.
That’s a great question, Larry… The scene (background) is Composited using around 8 different images, which prevents me from actually placing items I want in my Composited Portrait. Once the Kitchen Scene was stitched together, I then placed my various items such as the measuring cup in the scene. All that said, my original idea for the measuring cup was a metal one, but I didn’t like the feel of that in the scene so I decided on a glass measuring cup, which meant I had to make it appear as transparent and see through.
hello, thanks for tutorials, realy fun to watch but i have an idea and ant to see some videos of your work on client image,in Timelapse thats well be something intrresting to watch and sure helpfull for me
That’s a GREAT idea Samer… My Composites generally take anywhere between 15hrs all the way up to 30hrs to complete, so I’ll have to figure out how to compress that much time down into a couple of minutes. I’ll see what I can come with for you.