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Forums · UKNP

Blending Techniques

Discussion

10 replies
Posted by Chris Lloyd on January 1, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Hi All,

Can anybody give me any idea on how to blend a number of images together please?

I am trying to get into Landscapes and am fed up with the ND Grad idea, so am blending in computer instead.

Thanks and a Happy New Year to all.

Chris.
Posted by Tim Munsey on January 1, 2008 at 8:51 AM
Hi Chris,
Do you have CS3? If so you can use the HDR function, all automated. Or you could purchase photomatrix a well respected program for this sort of thing.

Tim
Posted by Paul Williams on January 1, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I started out using this tutorial http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml . It's a good basic start plus there is a lot of other stuff on the site worth having a look through.
Posted by Chris Lloyd on January 1, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Tim and Paul,

Many thanks for replying.
Paul: Many thanks for the link, I'll give it a look.
Tim: Yes I have CS3 on disk so I'll load it on the PC and give that a go.

Many Thanks
Chris.
Posted by Rene de Heer on January 1, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Chris, give me a call. I use Photomatix, very good
Rene de Heer
Posted by Graeme Lee on January 2, 2008 at 8:30 AM
There must be people on here using different blending techniques????

Sorry Chris, I can't help, but Tristan and Dave Clapp should have a wealth of knowledge regarding this surely?

Come on guys :wink:
Posted by Chris Lloyd on January 2, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Hi Graeme,

Dave Clapp very kindly sent me a word doc on blending techniques (cheers Dave!) which I will be trying out maybe later on today.

Thanks to all others who responded.
Regards Chris.
Posted by Pedro Bento on January 2, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Hi Chris,

Can you or Dave send me that doc to learn with you?
My e-mail: pedrobentophotography@gmail.com

Thanks guys :wink:
Posted by Tristan Campbell on January 2, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Hi Chris. David is the expert on blending, I've only started using it a little and usually just from two exposured of the same raw file. Basically all I'm doing is getting the two different exposures on two layers, adding a layer mask to the top one and then getting a massive brush (400 to 800 pixles) and painting on the mask until you get the blend you're after. I use in the region 0 to 20% opacity so the blend is reasonably subtle. Also sometimes a gradient is useful as are smaller brushes. Tristan
Posted by Justin on January 2, 2008 at 2:19 PM
David,

Would apprecite a copy as well if possible. Many thanks
Posted by Graeme Lee on January 2, 2008 at 4:25 PM
My blending method is fine (well, Dave's actually) ...it's just my images that are crap, so you have no problems Chris if you're just concerned about blending :biggrin: