Adobe Master Class; Photoshop Compositing with John Lund

Many of acclaimed photographer John Lund's images are instantly recognizable. What's not instantly recognizable are the elements that make up these composite images or the Photoshop techniques behind them--to unravel those mysteries, you need this beautiful, full-color volume. In these pages, Lund and co-author Pamela Pfiffner show you not just how to reproduce his results but the creative process that generates them. The emphasis here is on simplicity: how to create extremely complex images using a few, fairly simple Photoshop techniques that even beginners can grasp. After providing an introduction to the creative process and conceptual imagery in general, the authors get to the heart of the volume: the images. Each of the 15 chapters deconstructs an incredible Photoshop compositing process showing the final image--in full-page, full-color glory--with an accompanying description of Lund's creative approach to the assignment, and a detailed, step-by-step explanation of particular techniques used in the project. So how'd he make that fire-breathing dragon? Why, with images of a pet iguana, flame, a wall, and the sky, of course!

John Lund, a professional photographer and digital-imaging specialist, is known the world over not just for his acclaimed stock and travel photos but also for his witty Animal Antics line of greeting cards, posters, calendars, and stationary featuring animals in human poses and situations. Pamela Pfiffner, as a reporter and editor for MacWeek, has covered electronic publishing from its inception. She has been editor-in-chief of MacUser and Publish, and was part of the launch team of TechTV. In 1999, she launched Creativepro.com as an independent portal for creative professionals. Her most recent book is Inside the Publishing Revolution: The Adobe Story.