Blendy blendy

[Hoodi]

having some problems merging stuff in CS2, something I've always been a bit rubbish at.

Here's the issue - I have this here sunsrise pano :
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/1165/panocopy1zo5.jpg

And this here magically magicified version, with details in the rocks and whatnot
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/8596/panocopy2sa6.jpg

But how can I "naturally" blend these two so's I have dark wateriness and sky, but rocky rockiness? All my attempts thus far have looked like a pigs ear, and without meaning to offend the Welsh pig community, that just aint good enough!

Any "silly boy" help appreciated.

[Gandhi]

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/553/panofinal.jpg


ummm,

dragged the lighter version onto the darker one using move tool, used select->color range->midtones and inverted it then tidied up the selection subtractively.

Created a layer mask from the selection, blurred that with gaussian blur to minimise halos then used black & white brushes on the layer mask to further tidy up the blending.

easy really ;)

hth?

[Gandhi]

p.s. would be easier on a the big original file!

[Hoodi]

Far from great, but it does the job - cheers Gandhi!

My "tidy up" with the B&W brushes turned it into a horrid mess, though :o

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/951/panocopyic9.jpg

[Gandhi]

It's a tricky one, as it's hard to make the selection to make the mask from. Might be easier if you laid the dark version over the lighter one and used select->color range->shadows instead.

Your version is fine, just needs a bit of patient blending. I'm sure I've read of an easier way to do this somewhere but I'll be buggered if i can remember where! It's quite hard to get a subtle transition and needs much varying of the opacity.

Have you tried the pete's 'faux hdr' technique of generating several different exposures from the same raw? Might yield better results if done subtly enough.

It's a bit of a tricky image to work with as there is a dark line along the top of the rocks that when you blend them together starts to look un-natural.

And what do you mean 'far from great' eh? Send me the full the full size file and I'll show ya! :razz:

[Hoodi]

I meant my version, not your technique:help:

Uploading full size and will PM you shortly :p

[Gandhi]

you can always email or ftp me....

email on my site or just pm me and I'll give you my ftp login etc.

Sorry, I thought you meant my version! oops!

[Gandhi]

www.spencerdking.co.uk/pano.jpg (http://www.spencerdking.co.uk/pano.jpg)


About the best I could get with 5 mins work, I swapped the layers so the darkest was on top then it was just a bit perseverance and experimentation with the mask ultimately. I also didn't let the full brightness of the rocks through as it looked a bit un-natural to my eyes.

[petemc]

One word. HDR :)

[Hoodi]

Stop trying to sound cool - that's three words :D

Liking your version there Gandhi - gonna try HDR'ing it, just to see what I get :)

[Gemok]

Personally I'd have the the light version on one layer the dark another add a layermask and use the gradient tool on the layermask twice once to darken the sky and once to darken the left of the photo.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/561/rocks.jpg

[rpstewart]

Have you tried Bill's Dynamic Range PS action?

It can be downloaded here (http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo80.php3) if you need it.

[HIMUPNORTH]

I'm with Gemok. Start with a gradient mask then touch in with a low opacity brush.

You have a tricky one as most gradients are vertical (top to bottom) where there is always a change in tone/colour/saturation. You have that AND you want to grade horizontally (left to right) AS WELL. Not impossible though. Keep practicing! :thumbs: