Blending images

[Johnytuono]

Hi
I've heard of people taking 2 exposures, one for the sky and one for the foreground, and then blending them together in Photoshop so that both areas look properly exposed. Can anyone give me tips on how to do this please, I'm assuming one layer is erased, if so what settings on brush size, feathering etc, should I use.
Thanks
JohnyT

 

[Just Dave]

you could use the merge to HDR, File/Automate/Merge to HDR

 

[Rhodese]

John what Dave says is a good way, though your assumption is correct. I lay the foreground layer over the sky layer, add a mask to the foreground layer and with a soft round brush set to 25% opacity, foreground colour set to black, back ground colour set to white, click into the mask and paint out (mask) the overexposed sky. Using the X key to switch to the background (white) to paint back any mistakes.
Rhodese.

 

[Just Dave]

John what Dave says is a good way, though your assumption is correct. I lay the foreground layer over the sky layer, add a mask to the foreground layer and with a soft round brush set to 25% opacity, foreground colour set to black, back ground colour set to white, click into the mask and paint out (mask) the overexposed sky. Using the X key to switch to the background (white) to paint back any mistakes.
Rhodese.

Yeah and thats another good way that Rhodese has wrote

 

[Johnytuono]

Thanks for the replies. I will try both ways and see which I prefer. Rhodese is your way noticeable?
Thanks
JphnyT

 

[Just Dave]

Thanks for the replies. I will try both ways and see which I prefer. Rhodese is your way noticeable?
Thanks
JphnyT

can you show us the pic or how can we say if its got say trees thats going to make it hard, if its building with angles easier

 

[Keebsuk]

John,

there are a few very good video's on YouTube that cover this subject. Alas I am too tired to look for them tonight, sorry

Andy

 

[Rhodese]

Thanks for the replies. I will try both ways and see which I prefer. Rhodese is your way noticeable?
Thanks
JphnyT

The reason a mask and a soft brush set to25% opacity is used, is to create an unnoticeable blend by masking gradually.
Rhodese.

 

[Johnytuono]

Thanks again for the info. I haven't shot any images specifically for this, it was an idea I've been 'toying' with after having read about it somewhere. I see what you mean though about it being easier with angular buildings rather than branches/leaves etc., although then I can maybe create the mask using the colour channels?
Thanks again.
JohnyT