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Tutorial : Layer Masks. We will be combining two images, of the same pixel size,to make a better one by increasing the dynamic range. Both pics are derived from a single "RAW" image. Some of these tutorial pics are composites. I am using Photoshop Elements (4). The reference is "User Guide" Chapter 9: Using Layers
Here is the first Pic; "Ground". Notice the sky is all washed out
Here is the second pic; "Sky" . Here we have better clouds however the ground is too dark. We will be replacing the Sky in the ground picture by using layer masks.
Let's open up our ground image. Notice I have the Layers palette visible. Create a new layer and call it sky .
Now we want to move our sky pic into the sky layer. We do this by: ( 1) Open the sky pic. (2) Select all of the pic (Ctrl A) or Menu/Select All (3) Copy the selection to the buffer (CTRL C) or Menu/Edit/Copy (4) Close the Sky Pic (Ctrl W) or Menu/File/Close (5) Making sure we have the Sky layer selected (5b) Paste the Sky pic into the Sky layer. (Ctrl V) or Menu/Edit/Paste This is how your layers pallet should look.
. We will now create a Layer for our mask. Making sure the Background Layer is selected. (1) Create a New adjustment Layer/Brightness Contrast. The right hand side of the new layer is the mask. The left hand side is the actual adjustment values. (2) Use the default values. (3) Rename the Layer "Mask". This is so we don't forget what it is. The naming has no effect on the program operation.
. Now we will group the Sky Layer with the mask layer. This will allow the mask to control the final picture. Make sure the Sky layer is selected. Now Group the Sky Layer with the Mask Layer (Ctrl G) or Menu/Layer/Group with previous. There will be a little down arrow next to the Sky Layer to show that it is grouped.
. Now we will fill the mask with a gradient to block the ground in the Sky picture (allows the ground brlow to show through.) (1) Make sure the Mask itself is selected (right hand side of the mask layer). (2) Select the Gradient tool. Notice I have made the foreground colours black and the background white. (3) Select a foreground to background gradient. It should be black to white. (4) Draw a straight gradient, hold down the shift key while moving the mouse, from the bottom of the picture to the cloud base. You will now see the ground comming through to the Sky Layer.
Now for a bit of fine adjustment. Create a new brightness/contrast adjustment layer for the background. Here i have increased the brightnes approx +40. Notice how in the final pic only the ground is affected not the whole pic.
. We may need merge all the layers, if we have finished working, before saving the pic. To merge the layers in Menu/Layers/Flatten. Here is my final pic. The psd file with layers is avilable here (Zip Format - 5.4MB)
Feedback on this tute would be appreciated. Thank you. Richard