Blending Three Images

[Wildey]

In Elements 3 what techniques do you recommend for blending the three images from exposure bracketing? :shock:

[Matt K]

There are a few ways... You could move all three images into layers in Elements. Then adjust the layer blend mode and opacity of each to meet your needs. I found that the Screen blend mode set at a very low opacity works well. Another method would be to erase the areas from each layer that you don't want. Be sure to use the opacity settings of the eraser to control how much you erase. You can also use a combination of these two methods to produce some pretty high quality results.
If you've got some sample images you wanted to send me I could always see if this would make a good tutorial for this site.

Hope this helps.

[Wendy]

Matt,

I would be really interested in seeing a tutorial on this ... I have the facility to bracket shots on my camera but haven't tried it yet and I wasn't sure what to do with them if I did use it. So this as come up just at the right time for me.

I look forward to hearing more about it

Wendy

[Chuck S.]

Wendy, it's one way to extend the exposure value range of your camera in high contrast lighting situations. You can use the slightly underexposed image to capture details in the highlights and the slightly overexposed image to bring up the details in the shadows. The trick, I suppose is to come up with a seamless way to blend the two or three exposures into one. I saw a tutorial on that a couple years ago; will try to find it again when I get home from work.

Chuck S.

[Wendy]

Oh thanks Chuck ...

The camera has been a bit neglected since Christmas ... I much prefer using it when the weather is warm, but are going away in a few weeks so I will give bracketing a try out then.

Really should work out how to use RAW ... but haven't got round to it :)

When you get your new Mac ... you could write a How to deal with Raw (Mac Version) just for me ... From camera to photoshop :)

Wendy

[Joe S]

This is a request for Matt K regarding this subject. I have been considering purchasing a graduated neutral density filter. However, I keep getting talked out of it as I am told that their are ways to accomplish the task in PSE3. I have scoured thru the entire PE forum and found the same question many many times with different answers. One went thru a layering/mask technique that went back and forth from PSE1 to PSE2. I got totally confused.
My question for you. Can a technique be developed and posted that will allow the user to take two or three images; where each image is taken at a different exposure setting ( bracketing for instance) and then melded into one image. The intent being to create a image where each area has the correct exposure. ie the classic image of dark foreground / light background where the graduated neutral density filter is normally used.
Thanks

[Punkinsmom]

Please oh please Matt, do a tut on this.