Adding an Element from One Photograph to a Second Photograph

Sometimes the ideal photograph just does not exist. Perhaps it was a family gathering, the one time everyone was together in the same place, but no photograph was taken of everyone together. Or perhaps it was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, but you and your loved ones were never caught in the same shot. But the perfect keepsake may be possible after all...

Example 1

These two people had reached the summit of the highest hiking trail in the Canadian Rockies, Fairview Mountain in Banff National Park. It was a strenuous climb, so perhaps their lack of photographic foresight was explained by fatigue. Besides, there was no-one else there to take a picture of the two of them. However, starting with the initial photograph, below centre, the second person could be added. A suitable picture of the second person was selected - albeit from a different hike on a different day (below right) - and he was digitally added to the first photograph. Contrast was boosted on him to match the stronger sun in the starting image.
Composite photograph, Mount Fairview, Canada
Initial photograph

The initial photograph
Second photograph, from which the second figure was taken

The second photograph

Example 2

These family members had gathered together for a wedding. Many photographs were taken, but one person or another was always behind the camera. The two photos below right, and centre, were ideal for making a composite with everybody in it. Taken within a few minutes of each other, in the same location, the perfect group shot was easily constructed.
Composite photograph, wedding party
Initial photograph

The initial photograph
Second photograph, containing the figure to be added to the composite

The second photograph

Example 3

The photographs below were taken at a family wedding in 1977. They depict three generations, parents, children, and grandmother, but no single shot had all persons together. To make the composite, the initial photograph was chosen (below centre), which is posed in such a way that it appeared someone was missing. The mother was selected from the second photo (below right), but there was a problem; her left arm was concealed behind her mother. Her left arm was recreated by copying her right arm, and inverting it. The composite was sharpened a little, and a few minor blemishes edited out. The result was a very pleasing family group photograph.
Composite photograph, family wedding
Initial photograph

The initial photograph
Second photograph from which the missing family member was taken

The second photograph

Example 4

The original photographs, below centre and right, were taken at Dolomite Pass in Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies. The people, and their faithful pooch, had hiked to this high pass but left with no picture of the three of them together. The composite was created to rectify the situation.
Composite photograph, with pooch
Starting photograph

The initial photograph
Second photograph

The second photograph

Example 5

Anyone who owns cats - sorry, is owned by cats - knows the futility of trying to herd them. When three of the four in this household were spotted napping together in the dog's bed, a photo was taken to commemorate the occasion. Cat number four was not participating in the group nap, so was added later to make the composite. The initial photograph was very dark, whereas the lone tabby was basking in a patch of sunlight, so for the composite the brightness of the initial photo was adjusted to better match the lighting of the second.
Composite photographs, four cats in a bed
Starting photograph, three cats

The initial photograph
Second photograph, fourth cat

The second photograph