Photo manipulation exercise: make a composite image

Version 1.0

This exercise will give you practice manipulating layers of images to create an artificial photograph. You do not need to make it perfect--just practice the steps--but feel free to fine-tune your image to be more realistic if you have time.

Your goal is not to make an image that is obviously fake, like a meme. So do not combine cartoon characters and actual photos. Also, if you download images from the Internet, take care to ensure that they seem to be real as well, because starting with a fake will make your result also look fake.

The following instructions apply to Adobe Express, but you can achieve similar results with Photoshop, the GIMP, and various browser-based tools.

1. Choose a subject photo and a background photo from your own collection or the Internet.
2. Sign up for express.adobe.com

   ⚠️ This tool doesn't work with Firefox or Safari as of fall 2023.

   ⚠️ You don't need to give Adobe your phone number or allow notifications

3. Click original photo to start. Do not choose generative AI for this assignment.
4. Start by uploading your background photo with Media > upload from device.
5. Choose a template, such as the Instagram landscape or portrait dimensions.
6. Add the photo with a subject you'll put in the foreground.
7. Click on the image and choose Image > Remove background.
8. Resize and reposition as necessary.
9. Change layer order at upper right if you like.
10. Select a layer to add effects or adjustments.

    Try changing light/dark contrast, tint, and sharpness to match the two layers.

Export or screenshot the resulting image and post to #x-composite-image.