Shrink your subjects
James Paterson shows you how to shrink your subject by combining two photos with simple selection and masking tools
Create a mini world using Affinity Photo
For years this kind of composite could only be done using Photoshop, but these days Affinity Photo is just as effective at crafting fantastical scenes. In this project we’ll show you how to shrink the subject to miniature size by cutting them out then perching them on an old camera. By utilizing Affinity Photo’s advanced selection and masking tools, it’s easier than it looks.
We’ve provided start images for this project, but why not shoot your own? If you want to do so then a little planning will help to sell the effect. For example, it helps if the lighting is consistent across both images. So if the main light source is coming from the right of the camera in the portrait image, then keep the same angle of lighting for the mini scene. Think about the hardness of the light too – if it’s diffuse and soft in one image and hard-edged in the other then it will be tough to make the two images look like they belong together. It also helps if the height of the camera looks the same, so if the mini platform you want to perch your subject on is above the camera, then compose the portrait in a similar way so that the camera looks up at the subject from below.