Details
October 5, 2026
7:00PM - 9:00PM
Presentation- Rob Formentelli on Still Life Backgrounds
Midwest Photo
Education Presentation By Rob Formantelli
Background by Design
Transforming Still Life Backgrounds with Photoshop Blend Modes
Starting with a still life photograph created on a simple gray background and surface, this demonstration will explore how Photoshop layer blend modes can be used to completely change the environment around a subject.
Using photographs of weathered barn wood, brick, stone, wood surfaces, and concrete, Rob will demonstrate how textures can be blended into the original image while preserving the lighting, shadows, and dimensionality of the still life.
The presentation will cover choosing appropriate blend modes, working with layers and masks, adjusting tone and texture, and making the different elements feel like they belong together. The goal is to show how a simple studio setup can become the foundation for a variety of finished images without having to recreate the photograph from scratch.
This demonstration will give attendees techniques they can apply to their own still life and creative photography.
