Most of us have looked at a finished composite and wondered how on earth it came together. What we rarely get to see is one built from nothing, live, with every decision explained as it happens.
 
Nothing was prepared in advance. Janey started with a folder of backgrounds and a folder of hero images, and built a complete, story-driven image in front of us, talking through every choice as she made it. Her subject is a horse, but do not let that put you off if horses are not your thing. The subject is simply the example. Everything she covers applies just as well to portraits, landscapes, still life or wildlife.
 
Janey trained first as a painter and spent 25 years as a professional artist before bringing that eye to photography and Photoshop. She is best known for her fine art equine work, and has been named the Master Photographers Association's Equine Photographer of the Year.
 
What you will learn
- Choosing your elements. How to judge which backgrounds and hero images will actually work together, and which ones will cost you hours before you give up on them.
- Cutting out cleanly. Select and Mask in practice, including refining hair and fine edges, why Janey avoids Decontaminate Colours, and how to keep a mask you can go back and rework later.
- Trying the same subject across several backgrounds. A simple working method for moving one cut-out subject between scenes so you can see which story holds up before you commit.
- Matching light and colour. Reading the direction of light in your subject and your background, spotting when they disagree, and settling the subject naturally into its new setting with Camera Raw, Curves, Levels and Colour Lookup.
- Shadows that sell the image. Where the light source is, how to work out where a cast shadow should fall, and the contact shadow that grounds a subject so it does not float.
- Atmosphere with blend modes. Overlay, Soft Light and Luminosity, radial gradients, mist, glow and lens flare, used with restraint and always in service of the story.
- The decisions behind the clicks. Not just what Janey does, but why. This is the part you can carry into your own images.
 
Janey also covers the practical housekeeping that trips people up: naming layers, working with Smart Objects and when she chooses not to, and saving large multi-layer files as PSB.
 
From Mark
I have known Janey a long time, and it had been three years since she last presented for us, which was far too long. What makes her worth your time is the way she teaches. She trained in adult education and it shows. She explains every click and every creative choice without rushing, so you come away with practical confidence rather than a blur of clever moves you cannot repeat. I only ask presenters for around an hour, and Janey gave us a great deal more than that. Watching a fine artist edit live like this does not come around often.
 
What people said on the night
"Janey is such a good teacher. Her pace is perfect. Thoroughly enjoyed." — Sue
"Amazing practical details, giving us the benefit of her experience." — John
"Janey really helps me to develop my Photoshop skills. I'm always a little wary of going in this far. Must have a go now!" — Jan
"She has a way about her presentation that makes PS seem approachable." — Moira
"It is my imagination that lets me down, so it is great to see another idea stream." — Diana
"Magical as usual, really inspiring." — Liz
"I love listening to her trying to get Photoshop to behave." — Maryellen
 
- Approximately 90 minutes, including the questions at the end.
- Rent and watch as often as you like for four weeks from purchase.
- Photoshop is used throughout. The thinking applies to any layer-based editor, but you will get the most from it if you have Photoshop open alongside.
- Suitable if you are comfortable with layers and masks and want to take the next step. Several people on the night said they would be watching it twice, which is a fair guide to the depth.