Merging Layers in PS CS2

[ppp]

How do i go about merging layers successfully in CS2.

I want to do this for so i can merge two exposures of the same pic, say one for sky and one for foreground, or bracketed pics.

I can duplicate a layer and edit on the different layers but when i use the blending options it doesn't seem to do it correctly.

Is there aguide or step by step anywhere or can someone give me some pointers. Thanks.

 

[Chunky]

There are many ways. Personally I place the exposure for the sky on top of the exposure for the ground and add a layer mask. I then set my forground colour to black and backround to white and run the gradient tool down the image to blend the layers.

Alan...

 

[ppp]

Cool, I just found an excellent tutorial lesson by Bachs in the tutorial section which has answered it for me. Missed it the first time i looked hence the thread.

 

[Bachs]

 

[ppp]

Tried it out already and have managed to improve a couple of previous pics straight away. Thanks. I have learnt something really useful now.