Creating Composites Workshop by Sharon and Rob Prenton Jones

Contents hide

2 A Selection of Sharon’s Images of Loren from the workshop

5 Information and Guides sent by Sharon and Rob

Overview

We had a fantastic day-long workshop on Jan 7th 2024, presented by Sharon and Rob Prenton Jones https://www.prentonjonesphotography.co.uk/news/live-workshop-in-australia/. They covered a range of topics including (apologies if I have forgotten any major topics – a lot was covered):

The Art of composite images, including many examples of their own images.
Thoughts on inspiration and ideas for composite imagery.
A hands-on demonstration of photography with model Loren, including some discussion of lighting, posing, props etc.
A discussion of DIY / low-cost and improvised props and equipment (stay tuned … I’ll make a page with some low-cost suggestions shortly)
A live-demonstration of post processing including consideration of lighting and shadows, selection (especially the “Black on Black” approach), blending, colour matching, adding mist, and adding texture overlays.

Links to many resources detailing these topics is at the end of this post.

Transfixed audience as Rob presents; Sharon and Loren to his left. Image: G Shaw.

The “studio” setup. Note use of 2 soft-boxed light units (continuous lights were used during the demo for clarity). Rob demonstrated use of additional diffusers to get a softer light. The backdrop was a bit of black cloth (this cloth was fairly thin, so a second drape was added behind to increase the blackness) clamped to a horizontal tube supported by light-stands. Loren (model) has an op-shop long red gown with a blue cloth arranged as a shawl/hood. Rob and Sharon got her to hold an apple as a way of giving her hands something to do. It works well (see worked images below)

A Selection of Sharon’s Images of Loren from the workshop

Some worked images from the workshop

Here are a couple of images that Sharon Prenton Jones worked up, using the portraits of Loren, that she took during the workshop. The second image, given the title “Aurora” earned Sharon (well deservedly) a PSA Gold award in the 8th International Salon Unlimited Photo 2024 (Sharon also got two other gold awards, a merit, and 12 other acceptances in this Salon!)