Inside Photoshop® CS

Basic Editing Investigative Work

Now that we've chosen the images we'll use to create the composite group image, the decision processes are just beginning. When you work on an assignment such as this, you first have to examine the starting image and decide what will go and what will stay. If any items in the starting image need to go, you next need to decide whether you will you be able to mask (or hide) those items with the subjects that will be added later or will need to perform preliminary edits to hide the unwanted parts.

I have the responsibility—or maybe the advantage—of working out the logistics of this assignment before presenting it to you. Here's what I've discovered.

Deciding What Goes, What Stays

Look at the starting image shown ...