Learning Layer Masks & Blending

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Chip Payet
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p.1 #1 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

Hope someone here can help me understand layer masks and blending as I practice. I want to learn how to use 2 images of varying exposures to accentuate the desirable aspects of each, and there seem to be such a huge variety of possibilities, maybe you can help me narrow down the best and most frequent options.

Original image, unprocessed except for RAW-to-TIFF-to-JPEG conversions, from LR to CS3.

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Increased exposure and some fill light:

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Decreased exposure:

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Layered the dark one over the light one, put it in Overlay mode 100%, then the brush tool over the snow to reveal the brighter snow under it in Normal mode at 30% or so (if I went higher, it seemed to be unnaturally bright).
Then did some dodging/burning and localized sponge saturation to bring out the colors.

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Does it completely suck? Suggestions for improvement? Anything?

Mar 08, 2008 at 08:11 PM

Scott Stoness
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p.1 #2 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

Your method sounds good.

Sky looks too blue and there is not enough detail in the snow. There seems to be a halo near buildings.

You might try turning down the saturation a bit at the end and using more highlights/shadows or curves on the last step after flattening.

Alternatively I usually use HDR feature from photmatix and it automatically does all of this using the RAW files. You can download a free but mostly function version and try it. I understand the new versions of Photoshop have an HDR function. I would try this, my guess is that it will do a better job simpler than what you have above.

Mar 08, 2008 at 09:43 PM

matonanjin
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p.1 #3 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

Also looks like you might have some dust on your sensor.

Ron

Mar 09, 2008 at 04:17 AM

Chip Payet
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p.1 #4 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

matonanjin wrote:
Also looks like you might have some dust on your sensor.

Ron

Where? Most likely it's just the snowfall, as it was flurrying at the time. However, if you can point it out, then I definitely want to get that cleaned.

Mar 10, 2008 at 02:09 AM

matonanjin
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p.1 #5 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

You know what, in looking back I think that you are right and I'm wrong. I was looking at the white dot above the scaffolding on the right. But now I see more that probably are snow. My bad.

I am just paranoid abot dust after hving to get my 30D cleaned.

Ron

Mar 12, 2008 at 03:34 PM

sbeme
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p.1 #6 · Learning Layer Masks & Blending

I dont use HDR which might be quite helpful. Apart from that, I echo Scott S's observations. Also, for selective dodging/burning, create a new layer, fill with neutral color, select soft light or overlay, choose black to paint darker, white to paint lighter. I generally start with an opacity in the 10-20% range. Painting over the same area intensifies the effect.
Scott G

Mar 12, 2008 at 07:10 PM


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