Help merging these two exposures

[tim]

Does anyone have a quick and easy way to merge these two exposures? I've tried a technique from http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com but it's not working so well for me. Any ideas? I want the sky from one exposure, and everything else from another. The problem is there's pieces of the sky and water showing thru the branches of the tree, which is what's making it difficult. Any help is appreciated! :)

[weemannie]

I'm not sure if this is one you've tried or not.

1. Load both images into PS.
2. Select the darker image (ctrl+A) copy it (Ctrl+C).
3. Select the lighter image and paste (Ctrl+V)
4. Add a Layer mask to the top (darker) image - Layer-Add layer mask-Reveal all
5. Select the lower (lighter) image in the layers palette. Use ctrl+A then Ctrl+C to select , then copy it.
6. Alt click on the white rectangle (Layer mask) and Paste (Ctrl+V). You should now have a B&W image
7. Apply a gaussian Blur of about 50 pixels
8. Click on the background layer and adjust the brightness/contrast to suit.

This should increase the dynamic range of the image, so its a start. :D

[tommykjensen]

Have a look at this excellent tutorial written by Scottes

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=35368

[tim]

The one Scottes wrote about is what i've tried already, I think, I find it hard to follow.

WeeMannie - you, sir, are a genius! :) Great technique, I just tweaked the layer mask, and I think it looks great now. I hit the wrong key once and came up with a cool effect too :)

Here's the final result - I like 'em :)

[JakeC]

Had a go too, hope you don't mind. I used a combination of the highpass filter, curves and layer masks. High res version would have been lots of fun and had better quality. I think I screened a few of the darker areas to bring out some shadow detail too

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/JakeC/timedit.jpg

[tim]

Jake, I like the sky in that, but the house looks a little funny. Maybe it's the low res. If you wanna have a go i'll mail you the RAW! :) It's not like it's an image worth stealing... ;)

[JakeC]

Yep looks a little odd because I was lazy with the grey looking cast, I'd love to have a go from RAW but I've honestly got too much on my plate atm with study. Your image kept me sane during my break :p

Keep going with it though, I like it!

[weemannie]

WeeMannie - you, sir, are a genius! :) Great technique, I just tweaked the layer mask, and I think it looks great now. I hit the wrong key once and came up with a cool effect too :)

Here's the final result - I like 'em :)

Really glad you like it. :D

[asfd]

I think it would look better if the palm tree would be extracted using the extract filter since it's surrounded by a halo in most of those pics.

Here is my try: http://img41.echo.cx/img41/6739/untitled29ur.jpg

[tim]

Would you mind posting the steps that you did to make that pic asfd? I like your palm tree method.

[montreal]

I can't add a mask... could it be that it's impossible with Photoshop Elements 2.0?