Photographic Illusions: Collage and Digital Compositing
A course by Hugh KretschmerPhotographer
A course by Hugh Kretschmer, Photographer
Discover a three-part process for creating surrealistic photos that use in-camera and post-production techniques to trick the eye
Through photographic illusions, you can create out-of-this-world imagery that captures a viewer’s attention and invites intrigue. Hugh Kretschmer is a photographer who has worked with brands like Sony, Honda, and Old Spice, and has a permanent display at the 9/11 memorial.
In this online course, he guides you on a journey through the surreal, to challenge your creativity both on set and behind the camera. Learn to use Hugh’s “3D assemblage” method to build photos with your own hands, before exploring digital techniques to perfect your final piece. Discover how to illustrate your imagination with crafts, a camera, editing software, and a whole lot of weird and wonderful ideas.
What will you learn in this online course?
12 lessons & 10 downloads
Materials
4 minutes, 10 seconds
The Sketch
6 minutes, 51 seconds
Pre-production Planning: Color, Props, and Sets
3 minutes, 45 seconds
First Capture
5 minutes, 34 seconds
Printing and Preparation for Collage
19 minutes, 52 seconds
3D Collage
5 minutes, 40 seconds
What's included in this course?
Meet your teacher for the course, Hugh Kretschmer. He talks about his career so far in the world of photography, from his beginnings working with Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and National Geographic. He also shares his biggest influences and sources of inspiration including various 20th-century art movements.
Dive right into creating thumbnail sketches—key to informing composition, color palette, and lighting—to translate into a larger, more detailed drawing. Your teacher also discusses the impact of juxtaposition and dramatic size relationships to add surrealistic, visual flavors to your imagery. Next, design the visual details and production elements.
Discover how to photograph your assets with consistent lighting before seeing how to cut out your prints with a 3D effect in mind. Hugh then shows you how to put it all together before the second set of shots and how capturing “back-plates” can save the day.
Now learn how to process your collage digitally in Lightroom and import your images and other assets to Photoshop for assembly. All that’s left is to retouch your work for a professional feel!
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a signature image in three stages, which combines 3D collage and the digital composite hybrid technique.
Who is this online course for?
Any artist, budding or professional, with an interest in composing surreal images
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you need some experience in craft, digital post-production and compositing, as well as a basic understanding of lighting.
In terms of materials, you also need:
• basic sketching tools: pencils, a craft knife (your teacher uses an X-Acto knife), masking tape, and a ruler • collage materials: photo-mounting spray, poster board, foamcore, glue, and matte printing paper • lighting equipment: a camera, a tripod, a backdrop, and a basic strobe or continuous light system for a 1-3 source lighting scheme, or a place with consistent natural light.
Reviews
- 4 months ago
Excelente. LO RECOMIENDO.
- 8 months ago
Me ha encantado el curso. Muchas gracias :)
- 2 years ago
Intéressante Herangehensweise. Ich konnte mit viele Inspirationen holen.
- 3 years ago
Este curso para mi fue muy inspirador e interesante, por todo el proceso que muestra en su curso, totalmente recomendado.
- 3 years ago
Interesante combinación de diferentes lenguajes y disciplinas. Motivador y práctico.
His work has been described as fanciful, curious, imaginative, unusual, and even a little creepy. Whether whimsical or somewhat more serious, none of his pieces lack his characteristic touch of quirk and irony. Throughout the years, he has been recognized by the International Photography Awards, American Photography, Communication Arts, PDN Photo Annual, and The Society of Publication Designers. His work has also appeared in numerous industry publications, books, podcasts, and blogs including Graphis, Juxtapoz, Plastik Magazine, and Vision Magazine as well as auctioned through Sotheby’s and placed on permanent display at the 9/11 memorial. Additionally, he has given workshops both nationally and internationally and is a regular team leader at The Eddie Adams Workshop.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Sketching, Planning, and Crafting
- Materials
- The Sketch
- Pre-production Planning: Color, Props, and Sets
- U3
In-Camera Collage
- First Capture
- Printing and Preparation for Collage
- 3D Collage
- Second Capture
- U4
3D Collage and Digital Hybrid Composite
- Digital Compositing of All Your Captured Assets 1
- Digital Compositing of All Your Captured Assets 2
- Touch Ups, Color Correction, and Optional Effects
- FP
Final project
- Photographic Illusions: Collage and Digital Compositing
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate-level photographers and artists who want to deepen their skills in surrealist photo collage, model making, and digital compositing techniques.
You’ll need basic art supplies like tracing paper, foam core, chipboard, X-Acto knife, sandpaper, spray mount, pencils, digital editing software, a camera, and printing access for collage assembly.
You will learn how to combine analog collage techniques with digital compositing, create 3D models, design posters, execute lighting for portraits, and produce original fine art photo illustrations with a surrealist approach.
Some basic familiarity with Photoshop or digital editing is helpful but not required. The course will guide you through essential digital compositing and masking techniques.
The course focuses on blending practical model-making, 3D collage, and digital compositing to create unique surrealist fine art photography and visual commentary.
Yes, you’ll develop skills in both hands-on photo collage and digital hybrid workflows, allowing you to integrate practical and digital elements in your artwork.
Techniques include rayographs, combining negatives in the darkroom, forced perspective, charcoal rendering, mounting and cutting prints, and digital masking and compositing.