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| Composite Image Made by layering five bracketed images In Photoshop using layer masks |
Landscape
and architectural photographers are often confronted with less than ideal
lighting situations - too much contrast, harsh shadows, buildings facing the
"wrong" direction. Sometimes the problem can be solved automatically
with HDR (high dynamic range) controls in camera or software.
At other times, it takes a bit of finessing with Photoshop to get the image you
want.
The
Tumwater, WA city hall faces North. In the Spring, when cherry trees and
azaleas are blooming, sunlight does not hit the front face of the building. I
wanted to create an image showing the building, its landscaping and the
beautiful blue sky.
Here is a
short tutorial on how I created this composite image in Photoshop:
I began by
bracketing my exposures in camera, mounted on a tripod. My Canon 7D Mark II does have the ability to
shoot a 5 stop bracket, but in this case, I did it manually. I got a base exposure
of 1/320 sec. at f/9 (ISO 200) by shooting the scene in Aperture Priority. Then,
I plugged that setting into Manual exposure mode and bracketed in 2/3 stop
increments to +/- 1 and 1/3 stops (5 total images).
Here are my
original images
Bracketed Shots:
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| 1/200 sec. at f/9.0 + 2/3 stops |
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| 1/320 sec. at f/9.0 Normal |
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| 1/500 sec. at f/9.0 - 2/3 stops |
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| 1/800 sec. at f/9.0 - 1 and 1/3 stops |
Next, I
created a single layered image in Photoshop. If you are using Adobe Bridge, you
can use this easy method to make a single layered image:
- In Adobe Bridge, highlight all of your images
- Click Tools > Photoshop > Load Files into Photoshop Layers
- Open all of your images in Photoshop
- Choose one image as your background layer
- Activate one of the other images
- Select > All (Ctrl+A)
- Edit > Copy (Ctrl+C)
- Activate your background image
- Edit > Paste (Ctrl+V)
- Repeat with additional layers/images
- When all images have been layered into one, save your work and close all individual images
Now, you
will want to align all your layers:
- In the layers panel, select all layers
- Click Edit > Auto-Align layers
- Save your work
To blend
your different exposures, you will need to edit using layer masks
- Select your
topmost layer in the layers panel and add a layer mask using the icon at the
bottom of the panel
- Select each of the next layers and add a layer mask. (note: You will not be able to add a mask to the background layer if you used the copy and paste method to make your layered image)
Masks are
used to reveal or hide parts of a layer without permanently altering or erasing
them. In Photoshop, a white mask indicates that the layer is visible. A black
mask tells us that the layer is hidden. A mask with both white and black parts signifies
that the layer has both hidden and visible parts.
- Set your
default colors in Photoshop to black and white by pressing the letter D on your
keyboard. If white is not the foreground (top) color, press X on your keyboard
to switch foreground and background.
- Make the mask on your topmost layer active (It will have an outline around it)
- Use your eraser to remove/hide parts of the topmost layer which are too dark or light
- Make the mask on your next layer active and erase unneeded parts of this layer
- Continue
with each additional layer until you have a composite image
- Be sure to save your work along the way
If you make
an error and need to replace/reveal a part of your image:
- Make the mask on your problem layer active
- Use your paintbrush to reveal/restore areas to the layer
This is a
very simplified version of the process. It will take trial and error and
practice to get the process right. Do not be afraid to try different sized
brushes. Zoom in to see more accurate edges. Use the gradient tool for broad transitions.
Experiment for the best effect.