This video is the first in a two-part series where I guide you through creating a dynamic composite image from start to finish.
In this first part, we’re focusing on the photoshoot setup—lighting and shooting our subject for seamless integration into an AI-generated background.
Today, I’m photographing my friend Patricia, a full-time chef, and compositing her into a kitchen scene I created using Adobe Firefly.
This session is all about lighting Patricia in a way that makes her blend naturally into the scene.
Lighting Setup
- Main light: Positioned camera-right to mimic the soft light on the chef’s face in the AI image. Metered at F8, 4/10.
- Fill light: Balanced the shadows and metered at F2.8.
- Kicker light: Top-right to simulate sunlight present in the kitchen scene. Metered at F8, 6/10.
- Second kicker: Opposite side, metered at F5.6 to match the scene’s left-side lamps.
- Hair light: Overhead to separate Patricia from the background, metered at F11, 3/10.
Shooting at F13 on a Canon R5 Mark II allowed me to capture sharp details—especially important for cutting out fine details like hair during
compositing. Initially, I used a Canon 70-200mm f/4 lens for flexibility but swapped to a Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 to better match the focal length
and perspective of the background image.
This approach ensures Patricia will naturally fit into the AI-generated environment, with shadows, highlights, and perspective all aligning perfectly.
???? Gear Used in This Setup
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Elinchrom ONE
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnmmxwjA4
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pbNkvm
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3VdWeUY
Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octabox (100cm / 39”)
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnv90VNi5
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fRG5AH
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3oSg0cy
Elinchrom Rotalux Stripbox 35x100cm
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnv9oDSZ6
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nUwD3M
B&H: https://bhpho.to/40PXZbZ
Elinchrom 8.3″ Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid
Adorama: https://howl.me/ckXfvvRu20T
B&H: https://bhpho.to/4731i3t
Canon R5 Mark II
Adorama: https://howl.me/cmGHhNpXDZw
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB
Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II
Adorama: https://howl.me/cm5MF0r2iLL
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnaWOwhRU
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H: https://bhpho.to/426bKEM
Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnaWi7o2f
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z4GOd5
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3HkgKNY
