Photography Collage Process

Most of my source images are taken in the field with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and a 50mm macro lens. I try to carry the camera with me when out adventuring, always on the lookout for something interesting to add to current projects. I have a strong affinity for rusted paint, but have more recently started adding other photographs as well. The current rule is that I must personally photograph or scan every image included in the collages—we’ll see if that holds.

Back in the studio, Marilyn and I download, focus stack, and edit the source images to prepare them for use in digital collages. She finds this part of the process quite tedious and tends to wander off to eat bugs, but eventually the images are edited and it’s time to start adding them as layers in Photoshop. I start with either a central element I am particularly attracted to or a textured background made from photos specifically taken to serve that purpose. Layers are added and deleted, resized and moved around. Additional elements such as old letters, butterfly wings, or small household objects may be scanned in for additional detail and texture. I usually have several pieces underway at a time and some seem to take forever to feel complete (ish). Once done, the images are soft proofed, sized, sharpened, and files are created to send to the printer. Small sample aluminum prints come back, allowing for the colors to be adjusted until results match the original file. Huzzah!