I'm just now experimenting with blending images in CS2. I'm intrigued by the process and amazed with the results, however imperfect they are. Here's my workflow and my question: lets say I have a sunrise image. I copy and paste a "dark" version over the "light" version. I then create a layer mask on the "dark" layer and use the brush tool to bring out the "light" image for the foreground. This is all fun and easy, but the trouble I'm finding is how to blend where, lets say, the mountain merges with the sky...how do I continue to use the brush tool to expose the "light" image without bleeding over into the sky?
Hopefully this makes sense. I'm still so new to this whole processing technique, but like I said, I love what I am seeing so far. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
That's a tough problem, and I usually have better luck with other blending techniques in that situation. However for the method you are using, you may have luck with protecting the sky from your brush. Select the sky (I usually use one of the quick selection tools), extend the selection a little (say 5 pixels), feather it a little (say 3 pixels), and invert it (ctr-shft-I). Now try painting the foreground with a low opacity as Phil recommends, leaving the selection active to protect the sky from your brush.
Phil...thanks for the feedback...I have tried this and it works (as you know), but it requires a lot of time and patience. Thanks again!
John...I'd love to hear about the "other blending techniques" you know about. I'm such a novice and have relied solely on the tutorials I have found online. Thanks for your input!
Unfortunately, each blend will be different. What works great for one image will fail for another. I recommend learning as many techniques as possible, and then experimenting a lot. My favorite way is to match the photos prior to blending using Photoshop adjustments, and then to use a narrow-transition selection. Here's an article I wrote for NPN Magazine that gives more detail, and another one by Richard. It is time consuming, but the results can be great in some images. Be sure to note the comment at the end. There is also a touch more info here.
Justin,
You can set the feathering for your brushes so there's not a hard line on the edge of the brush. Paint just a bit further into the dark or light area than you think you need. Then apply a gaussian blur (Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur) to the mask & adjust the amount - this will give you control over the edge of your mask and give a more natural look. It's a trick from Richard Bernabe. I can't take credit for it.
I could go into detail here, but just google luminosity masking. It is the quickest and easiest way to control dynamic ranges when blending images. I think there is a guy on this site who has actually even made some actions using this method.
Discussion
8 repliesHopefully this makes sense. I'm still so new to this whole processing technique, but like I said, I love what I am seeing so far. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
John...I'd love to hear about the "other blending techniques" you know about. I'm such a novice and have relied solely on the tutorials I have found online. Thanks for your input!
You can set the feathering for your brushes so there's not a hard line on the edge of the brush. Paint just a bit further into the dark or light area than you think you need. Then apply a gaussian blur (Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur) to the mask & adjust the amount - this will give you control over the edge of your mask and give a more natural look. It's a trick from Richard Bernabe. I can't take credit for it.
I'll try it tonight...thanks!
I could go into detail here, but just google luminosity masking. It is the quickest and easiest way to control dynamic ranges when blending images. I think there is a guy on this site who has actually even made some actions using this method.