What is the creative process you all use when executing a chop?

How do you get ideas from the given source, and how do you go about executing the idea? What sort of habits do you have in your composite creating? How do you gather external sources, what tools/processes do you use most in photoshop, how do you put the "finishing touch" on a chop, etc?

What is the single best creative tip you would give to a fellow chopper?

Do you work for Zuckerberg by any chance

I didn't do it, and I have an alibi.

Chances are slim...

I don't believe you.

I was in a bar, just ask the bartender, I'm a regular there.

I'm gonna need your full name, address, SSN, and Credit Card number before I can continue the investigation. And your medical records.

..first i isolate myself in some remote, desolate place to meditate and remove any thoughts about any possible gains and appreciations that chop could give me, then I forget what I was suppose to do and stay lost there.

You guys suck LOL I posted this topic in all seriousness.

See you at the bar BG first drink is on me.

I think it will be fun to hear everyone's process

I first look at the source and see if anything jumps out at me. I will turn it around, different angles to see if something pops in my head. If my idea seems like another person would do it, I would try to think of something else to do. Usually I have to be alone, if the grand kids come around, they keep asking for things every 5 seconds and usually throws off any ideas that come to mind.

Most of my external help comes from Pixabay or my own photos that I purchased from Borderland CD's.

I have never been able to put a finishing touch on my composites. I tend to just finally say, that's it or it's the best I think I can do or damn it, it's 3:00am in the morning..hahaha!

Execution oh boy, I suck at that. I have a clear vision of what I want to do, but making it do that are two different things, still learning.

One tool I use with every composite so far has been the quick selection tool.

Creative tip, do your best and have fun!

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OK, since you asked . . . . .

I look at the source. I either get an instant inspiration or I don't.

If I don't I look again. I turn it sideways, then upside down. Sometimes that suggests something. Whatever it takes if I DO get an idea I start searching for images to incorporate or I go out and take my own additional pics. Then I start chopping.

Many times, somewhere along the process either,
A. Oh that's really turning out cool let's go with it.
B. That's better than expected and hell, it's only 3:00 am and I can finish this tonight
C. something screws up and comes out different than I expected but CRAP!! I COULD DO THIS INSTEAD!!
D. CRAP!! This sucks, close and hit delete.

And that is pretty much it.

I usually will just look at the source until I get an idea. sometimes looking just to the side of the source makes it appear differently. I never like to use my first idea, since it usually is the lamest.

Once I have the idea in my head, I collect all the source images I think I'll need.
Then I'll start piecing them together. The individual components need to be in place before I adjust lighting or color. I match lighting by throwing a black and white filter on everything, and then adjusting levels until nothing stands out abnormally. Then I'll remove the black and white filter, and adjust the color.
I have to keep the bigger picture in mind, cause during the compositing process, the unfinished image looks like crap. lol

In every chop, I always end up using the pen tool to extract things from their background. The quick selection tool is also great if there's enough edge distinction.

To put the finishing touch on a chop, I'll often convert all the layers into a smart object, and put a camera raw filter adjustment on it to enhance things just that extra bit. Or use several adjustment layers (like gradient maps, curves, levels, etc).

My creative tip? Don't overdo effects. Build them on bit by bit. The difference between a good chop and a great chop is in the small details that most overlook.