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C2S
3rd of May 2008 (Sat), 08:26
Hey all,

Does anyone know links to tutorials explaining advanced exposure blending in Photoshop, using layers? And just to make sure, I'm not looking for anything that starts with "1. Launch Photomatix" or "1. Go to File/Automation/Merge to HDR", thank you very much, so you can exclude those right away. ;)

I would also prefer if the tutorial explained more of a procedural approach using layer masks manipulated with some of the numerous filters and other options available in Photoshop, instead of suggesting taking a brush and manually painting away the certain areas in the masks of differently exposed layers. I don't mind if tweaking the masks involves numerous complex steps, if it does a good job in achieving a natural looking blend without easily noticeable artifacts. (packing more dynamic range with a good contrast still is a plus)

Of course Photomatix does do a good job since it's dedicated to this kind of work and a number of experienced people have put a lot of hours to improve it, but I still would like to learn how to do this in Photoshop and improve.

I've searched a bit too, but the majority of the results are usually those dealing with either Photomatix or "Merge to HDR", and even though I have found some tutorials I've been looking for, I'd like to make sure I haven't missed any gems by asking here. Or maybe I'm asking for too much and there none out there?

Thanks for any responses.

eddarr
3rd of May 2008 (Sat), 10:03
Here's one of the best. Don't be afraid to just play around too.

http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml

PixelMagic
3rd of May 2008 (Sat), 13:53
Glenn Mitchell has some great tutorials on his website; on of which explains Blending Exposures with the use of a Luminosity Mask instead of painting to combine the two exposures. He also explains the alternative approach of using the Blend If slider. You can download the tutorial at this link: http://thelightsrightstudio.com/tutorials-pdf.htm

But explore the entire site he has great written and video tutorials, along with Photoshop scripts.

René Damkot
4th of May 2008 (Sun), 19:56
I did a tutorial here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=362356&highlight=tutorial) that might help.

PhotosGuy
5th of May 2008 (Mon), 10:15
instead of suggesting taking a brush and manually painting away the certain areas in the masks of differently exposed layers. Sometimes things have hard edges, but part of the edge of the image has blown highlights & also loses detail in the shadows, so this works best for me:
Selecting areas in PS. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39994)