AI Tools & Compositing with Scott Detweiler at Texas School
A workshop review by Tara Flannery
Spending a week immersed in advanced compositing techniques at the Texas School of Professional Photography was nothing short of transformative. Under the guidance of the incredibly knowledgeable and dynamic instructor, Scott Detweiler, I dove deep into the world of AI-enhanced photography, learning not just how to shoot for compositing, but how to refine images and combine them with AI-generated backgrounds.
Shooting for Compositing: Setting the Foundation Right
One of the key takeaways from the week was how critical it is to shoot with compositing in mind. Scott emphasized the importance of background tone for seamless integration:
Medium grey backdrops are ideal because they offer neutral tones that blend easily into various scenes.
If you choose a white background, make sure the composite scene is light to maintain consistency.
Conversely, use a dark background only if the final scene is dark—this keeps shadows and depth believable.
This foundational step ensures the composite feels cohesive, rather than cobbled together.
Retouching using Frequency Separation and Dodge/Burn
We dove deep into frequency separation, a technique that allows for isolated control over color and texture. This non-destructive approach lets you fine-tune skin tones and texture independently, allowing endless iterations without compromising image quality. Beyond technical precision, we explored creative retouching using Dodge and Burn.
Compositing Workflow: Bringing It All Together
One of the highlights of the week was learning Scott’s step-by-step approach to compositing, integrating both technical precision and AI tools to create seamless, believable scenes.
Step 1: Subject Selection and Masking Start by selecting your subject, then use Select & Mask (hold Shift while clicking to access
the legacy Refine Edge tool).
Step 2: Scene Generation with AI Use platforms like DreamStudio, ChatGPT, or MidJourney to create the background scene:
DreamStudio: Upload your subject photo and use it as a sketch or paint your desired environment around it.
MidJourney: Create a background scene, though keep in mind it only retains about 20% of the original subject—it’s more stylized.
**Hints for Prompts:
generic: paint scene in a generic way (ex. boy and a girl going up a hill)
details: then give details (girl is wearing yellow dress with purple flowers, etc.)
style: watercolor, photo realistic, fantasy, etc.
Once generated, import both the subject and background into Photoshop as separate layers for refinement.
Step 3: Match Value, Chroma, and Saturation To make the subject and background appear naturally integrated, follow this refinement sequence:
Value (Luminance): Add a 50% gray layer (Shift+Backspace > Fill > 50% Gray > Color Mode). Add a Curves Adjustment Layer to fine-tune contrast and match the black and white points—usually better to adjust the background to match the subject.
Chroma (Color Balance): Add another gray layer in Luminosity mode. Use a Color Balance Layer to match shadows, midtones, and highlights. Start with shadows and compare between subject and background. For clearer differences, use a Curves Layer to exaggerate contrast temporarily.
Saturation: Again, use a gray layer in Luminosity mode. Add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer and tweak saturation levels so the subject and background feel unified.
Step 4: “Marriage” Layers Scott refers to these final adjustment layers as the “marriage” layers because they bring everything together:
Curves – for final contrast tuning
Hue/Saturation – to unify overall color tone
Gradient Map – to give the composite a cohesive, stylized finish
This structured approach demystified the complex art of compositing, making it accessible while still achieving professional-grade results. Paired with powerful AI tools and detailed Photoshop workflows, we left the class with a confident, repeatable process to create striking, integrated images.
Final Thoughts
This week wasn’t just about mastering tools—it was about learning how to think like an artist and technician at once. Scott Detweiler’s methodical, yet creative approach brought clarity to complex workflows and reinforced that successful compositing starts with intention at the point of capture.
As I return to my own workflow, I feel more equipped than ever to blend technical skill with creative vision. The tools may be powerful, but it’s the thoughtful use of them—like we practiced this week—that truly brings images to life.