How To Add A Subject Into A Digital Background In Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to easily add a subject to a digital background in Photoshop.

There are a million different ways to composite—right or wrong I am going to show you what has personally worked for me. It also helps that this background has a lot of texture and is quite forgiving!

The most important thing is matching up the light. You want the light in your original image to match the light direction of the digital background. If the lighting on your subject does not match the background you are placing them in you are setting yourself up to fail.

Used in this tutorial:
Storyville Magical Pathway Digital Background 1
Storyville Ultimate Light Pack (Overlays)
Storyville Ultimate Dodge & Burn (Photoshop Action)
Storyville Painterly (Photoshop Action)

[Mark_R_Tho]

You’re very talented. The image is incredible. And you’ve been very generous in sharing how you achieve your art, your way.

Please also rewatch this and notice just how often you are putting yourself down, from start to finish. You never want to start a tutorial saying that you aren’t an expert. It immediately removes confidence from your viewers. And it doesn’t matter that other people may do composites differently. There are a million ways to use Photoshop, and a million ways to get the same end result.

Imagine how much better this would be if you left out all the self-criticizing talk😉

Just my unsolicited two cents. Thank you for the tutorial.

♥️

[agds]

This is beautiful! I for one want to learn how to edit like the original photo more than learn about the DBG !!! ❤

[reneesteele]

After selecting subject, go to top menu and "select and mask. Less work ;)

[lamarmcmiller]

I absolutly LOVE your editing style! Thanks for the tutorial!

[asusi]

My problem is when my subject looks too sharp, specifically having trouble with cats fur. Any suggestions or tips on what has worked for you?

[melaniemartinez]

What program is this? First time photo shopping for me