Compositing Visual Effects: Essentials for the Aspiring Artist

List Price: $34.95 Discount Price: $21.02

Customer Reviews:

A good primer [Posted on 2008-05-21]
I had originally wanted to get Steve Wright's other book, Digital Compositing for Film and Video, Second Edition, but read another review of this book make mention that it is geared more towards a beginner. At first, I thought this to be what I needed and when I got the book and scanned through it, it just seemed like an overview of the variety regarding compositing. I was a bit disappointed, until I started to peruse through more thoroughly.

What I liked (and am liking) is that it is geared towards more of a primer in the sense of the fundamental operations involved in digital compositing. And ironically, it was also what I did not like. I expected to have a more thorough or at least a methodical approach (not necessarily step-by-step) towards teaching basic compositing principles. That is what the aforementioned book describes. (And I say this based on the Table of Contents.)

So, I give a 5-star review to let people know that if they want to get a handle on "essential" concepts, that is easy to understand and comprehend, then get this book. Even if you have no interest in making movies or working in a VFX field, this will be a fun read to see the tricks the pros build upon to create some truly imaginative results. However, if you know what bluescreen compositing is, multi-plane compositing, premultiplication, etc., then this book might be redundant for you.

Once I'm done with this book, though, I'll be moving onto his other text and will be better prepared to absorb more detailed techniques.

Fun way to get a solid foundation in compositing visual effects [Posted on 2008-07-29]
This book is valuable because it gives the reader a solid foundation in a straightforward and fun way. I read slowly and it still felt like a quick read. Readers with a background in motion graphics (for example Flash or After Effects artists) who don't think of themselves as "compositors" will probably take away much that can improve the quality of their work. The author does a particularly good job at explaining the structure and attributes of digital images. The writing is precise and well edited. From learning the basics of color correction, to gaining a working knowledge of video and film workflows, the book delivers. It comes across as an industry veteran who likes what he does, giving "Aspiring Artists" a simple and strong foundation. Well done!

Great Book! [Posted on 2008-08-26]
Great book for anyone who wants to get an understanding of Visual Effects.
Steve Wright's book explains a lot of techniques that are used on many films today.

CASH MAKING ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Posted on 2008-10-06]
All I can say is that my project fees have tripled by adding motion graphics and using an ipod Touch to show clients the completed video segments to seal the deal and get a check in hand for such profesionalism.

A Must Read for Teach-Yourself Types [Posted on 2008-11-19]
Like a lot of people getting into visual effects, compositing, motion graphics and the like, I'm self-taught. Plenty of books and tutorials and trial and error, but no formal instruction. This book serves as a formal resource to help fill in the gaps of your own self-education.

"Compositing Visual Effects" is definitely as beginners book, covering the absolute basics of electronic imaging. Things like frame rates, aspect ratios, bit depths, film formats and elementary compositing techniques. Topics you may have a working knowledge of, but don't know the finer points of it all. Wright explains everything at the most basic level, giving us a more solid foundation to build upon.

I can personally say now that knowing the actual math that goes into a certain blending mode is much more helpful than just trying them all out and guessing at which one I should use.

Wright also takes us through some of the basic tasks a compositor faces (dust removal, color correction, etc...) and overviews the steps and thought process to take to accomplish them.

Again, "Compositing Visual Effects" is beginners book, although a very thorough one. After reading this book, I can't say I know all that much more than I did before. But I am sure that now I know it all better.

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