Composite

When I reviewed the gallery, I wanted to choose two subjects that naturally connect and tell a clear story when paired in a diptych. To meet the assignment requirement of using rights-free images, I selected a cow photo and a barn photo from a rights-free/Creative Commons-friendly source, from Adobe Stock. (Did you know we get Adobe Stock for free?!)

In Photoshop, I made basic corrections to both images to create a cohesive side-by-side composite. I adjusted exposure and color to brighten the images and bring out detail, then increased white balance so the overall tone felt lighter and more consistent across the pair. I also made small saturation changes to keep the colors natural but more visually engaging. On the cow image, I cropped out excess blank space in the grass so the subject became the clear focal point, and I checked the framing so it felt balanced with the barn photo. Finally, I ensured each photo looked level by straightening the horizon line where needed. Placed side-by-side, the cow and barn “mesh” because they share a rural theme, similar brightness, and matching color tone, encouraging the viewer to connect them as part of the same environment and story.