GanzChroma 0343
Mentorship is more than teaching; itโs revealing the unseen. And in one of Elmoatasemโs recent two-hour mentorship sessions, he shared a deceptively simple trick with Moises Moreno using a filter erode.
What followed wasnโt just a lesson in compositing; it was an exploration of artistry and control over the very fabric of an image.
Elmoatasem began with the basics: erosion adjusts an image by gradually stripping away brighter values, letting darker tones rise to prominence. Reverse the process, and the opposite occurs. It sounds simple, but the power lies in understanding how to wield it.
Then came the twist. โWhat if we stack two erodes?โ Elmoatasem proposed. One pushes forward; the other pulls back. With this dual erosion, something fascinating happens, fine details fade, but the broader shapes and tonal integrity remain. Itโs like chiseling a sculpture out of raw stone, removing what doesnโt belong while preserving the essence.
To take it further, Elmoatasem introduced a technique to streamline experimentation: linking the two erodes with an expression. By using the expression editor, he inverted one filterโs value in relation to the other.
Adjust the first, and the second responds in perfect opposition. The result?
Precision control that invites creative discovery. A single tweak reveals how the interplay of erodes reshapes an imageโs tone, contrast, and detail in real-time.
As Elmoatasem demonstrated the technique, the screen transformed. Brighter frequencies dissolved, giving way to an understated elegance. These moments of discovery are what define Alpha Chromatica. Itโs not just about learning the tools but uncovering the creative possibilities they unlock.
Elmoatasemโs erode technique may be small in execution, but its implications are vast. And this is what mentorship looks like, not handing down answers but opening the door to something greater.
P.S. Ever wondered what itโs like to sit in on one of these mentorship sessions? If youโre curious, drop a โYesโ in the comments, and weโll see if we can send you a private Zoom link with the date and time. Who knows, you might just discover your next favorite compositing trick.