Photoshop Layers - Single Flash

[Scott330ci]

Hi Guys

I would ideally like to buy another flash for some photography. But I have seen you can evenly light a subject with one flash and merging layers in photoshop and I would like to give this a go first.

Can anyone give me any tips on how to do this with combined exposures etc or maybe a link to a decent tutorial?

Thanks

Scott

[Scott330ci]

These result's do not look too bad but only useful at night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMpqoTv6icI&fea...

[nick_bbb]

http://www.grantgb.com/content/?p=426

[Scott330ci]

nick_bbb said:

http://www.grantgb.com/content/?p=426

Hi thats great. Thanks. It was more of the layer merging I was confused on though.

Do you have a tutorial for that aswell

Thanks

[flat-planedCrank]

Scott330ci said:

nick_bbb said:

http://www.grantgb.com/content/?p=426

Hi thats great. Thanks. It was more of the layer merging I was confused on though.

Do you have a tutorial for that aswell

Thanks

If you can isolate the light into distinct areas then something simple such as photoshop's 'screen' layer blending mode would probably do. Can't see it being that simple though

You could try using layer masks to merge the different shots together. A quick search reveals this tutorial, its not from multiple flash exposures but the techniques are the same:
http://layersmagazine.com/exposure-blending-in-pho...

Where that tutorial spends time actually painting the masks you might just get sway with using a simple gradient to go from one layer to another.


Hope this helps.


Cheers.

[Scott330ci]

flat-planedCrank said:

Scott330ci said:

nick_bbb said:

http://www.grantgb.com/content/?p=426

Hi thats great. Thanks. It was more of the layer merging I was confused on though.

Do you have a tutorial for that aswell

Thanks

If you can isolate the light into distinct areas then something simple such as photoshop's 'screen' layer blending mode would probably do. Can't see it being that simple though

You could try using layer masks to merge the different shots together. A quick search reveals this tutorial, its not from multiple flash exposures but the techniques are the same:
http://layersmagazine.com/exposure-blending-in-pho...

Where that tutorial spends time actually painting the masks you might just get sway with using a simple gradient to go from one layer to another.


Hope this helps.


Cheers.

Thankyou

I will have a read tomorrow.

[NWVT]

Hi Scott
all the early shots in this set of bentley pics i did where done with a single flash and then layered in post in photoshop setting the layers above the base image to lighten the set ---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwvt/sets/72157624818...

a couple of examples
5 shot comp


5 shot comp again


3 shot comp (Bottom Left, Bottom Right, And Then Effectively Top Right)


i hope this helps i find it best to aim the light along the body work not directly pointed at what your trying to light.

it took me a while to suss it out and im still experimenting with technique but i hope this helps.

Nick

edit dfor equipment used

Nikon D300
Nikon SB900
wireless remote shutter
and tripod

Edited by NWVT on Thursday 16th September 00:46

[Scott330ci]

Thanks

Is the blending process relatively simple?

I found another flash last night which works with my 450d (But its old and not compatible). I need to use this on the camera as a trigger to set off my other flash as I don't have a trigger yet. It seems overly complicated.

So here's a diagram.



3 shots combined. Flash on camera would go off every shot because thats the trigger.

1st would be on camera and bottom left.
2nd on camera and top right
3rd on camera and centre car.

This should work? Will it ?

Scott

Edited by Scott330ci on Thursday 16th September 10:08

[nick_bbb]

Providing there is zero movement in your tripod between shots the photoshop blending is really easy using the "lighten" blending option.

You will loose some control over the shots by having an on camera flash in every one. Even if you wired the off camera flash that would probably work and a long lead would be cheap from ebay.

[Scott330ci]

nick_bbb said:

Providing there is zero movement in your tripod between shots the photoshop blending is really easy using the "lighten" blending option.

You will loose some control over the shots by having an on camera flash in every one. Even if you wired the off camera flash that would probably work and a long lead would be cheap from ebay.

Thanks Nick

Do you know what the lead would be called? I assume these are more reliable over wireless transmitters, but I could only use one?

Could I take one shot without the flash on camera making 4 shots?

[nick_bbb]

I think they are called Sync Cables?

[Scott330ci]

nick_bbb said:

I think they are called Sync Cables?

Does this plugin straight from the camera to the flash then?

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/73409...

[nick_bbb]

It depends what sockets you have on your camera and flash

[Scott330ci]

nick_bbb said:

It depends what sockets you have on your camera and flash

Ok - Ill pop down to jessops at lunch

Thanks

edit - no I won't no stock.

I'll see what I can come up with tonight

Scott

Edited by Scott330ci on Thursday 16th September 11:33