Nights in Nature

[Suzan J]

Hello Trace: Thanks for sharing these beautiful images. They really convey a peaceful and dreamy mood. At the risk of asking a silly question, can you please share the process of what you mean by "blending exposures". Are you speaking of a standard HDR process or this something altogether different?

[PhotoByTrace]

Welcome back "Little Miss Havechat", I think I've seen that waterfall before !

Seriously though Trace, these are very good. You've still got it !! Thanks for the explanations too.

Dave

Thanks Dave And yes, still guilty of not being able to keep anything concise

Trace

It's great to have you back. Thought we'd lost you.

Wonderful set of images.

Thanks Donald. Initially I had some health issues that needed my full focus, since then it has been a matter of trying to get my life back into order. I think I've found some regular time again now that will allow me to enjoy the community here again.

Thanks Terri! Glad you enjoyed the series.

[PhotoByTrace]

Hello Trace: Thanks for sharing these beautiful images. They really convey a peaceful and dreamy mood. At the risk of asking a silly question, can you please share the process of what you mean by "blending exposures". Are you speaking of a standard HDR process or this something altogether different?

Hello Trace: Thanks for sharing these beautiful images. They really convey a peaceful and dreamy mood. At the risk of asking a silly question, can you please share the process of what you mean by "blending exposures". Are you speaking of a standard HDR process or this something altogether different?

Hi Suzan, it certainly isn't a silly question. It is the same question I asked about two years ago when I found that my filters alone didn't allow me to capture some scenes in a single exposure, particularly sunrises in mountains or when trees are above the horizon in the scene or night skies like the ones in this thread. I don't use HDR software to blend my exposures, even though I tried for a while. But I tended not to like the outcome, even when using exposure fusion. So I choose to do it more manually using layers and masks in Photoshop to achieve a similar outcome but one I feel as if I have more control over.

As usual there is more than one way to do this using photoshop, so I have a few different methods of creating masks to help with the blending and I'll choose between them depending on the scene.

• Sometimes simply painting gradually with a feathered brush will work for me. (eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djxrsDT_6YU)
• Also the graduation tool can be useful to blend the two. (eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOpBX2w9WJ4)
• Other times, making a simple selection using the quick selection tool in conjunction with refine edge and some feathering will be suitable for blending two exposures. (eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQhtqGLglww)
• But with horizons that are more detailed I'll usually use a more complex selection tool that gives a more detailed mask edge. Sometimes the "Select Color Range" will provide a suitable mask, particularly if I have a nice blue sky or similar. Other times I'll create a luminosity mask from the RGB channels. (eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNlbo5U80g)

If you are wanting to learn in more detail, there are a range of free videos on youtube that'll detail each of these methods beyond the few examples I've added here. Sean Bagshaw also has a very detailed and simple to follow collection of videos for increasing dynamic range (I think it is around $40). He was an educator before turning to photography and seems to have a good way of explaining why and how and the steps involved.

I still mostly try to capture in one exposure where it is possible, but in many situations I've found it doesn't work for me. And while I tried HDR software for a while, I just wasn't very skilled at getting it to blend the areas I was seeking in the way I was envisioning it.

Hope this answers your question.
Cheers
Trace

[DanK]

striking images. Thanks for posting this detail. I have been doing some night photography, and manual blending was on my list of next steps. The links you posted will be helpful.

[Suzan J]

Hello Trace: Thank you so much for the detailed explanation of the blending process. I will definitely keep this info on hand! I'm looking forward to seeing more projects from you.

[ShaneS]

These are really special Trace! I hope that our work, life and health all stay in check so we can see and hear more from you.

I also second Suzan's thanks and appreciate your generosity in sharing processing tips.

[John 2]

Enviable to say the least and clearly well thought out. Lovely work Trace.

[Brownbear]

Hi Trace,

These are absolutely exquisite, and yes inspiring. I adore them all but #4 is my favourite. (gorgeous starry sky with a beautiful waterfall at nighttime.)

[FrankMi]

Very impressive Trace! So hard to choose a favorite....

[MarvinTheSpartan]

These pictures are beautiful!

[saea501]

Absolutely top flight.

Print really big and hang. In fact, sell.