Now comes the tricky part, blending the different versions into one.
Blending Two or More Copies of an Image
There are actually several ways to do this. I'll show you two variations, one based on using a layer mask, the other on using Layer Blending Options.
CREATING A MASK
The goal is to leave the correct parts of one image and delete the others. To do this:
1) Select the layer you wish to mask. Shown here are two Layer palettes, one with a Smart Object layer (right), the other without. (left) Figure 5-15
2) Use the Color Range selection tool to select the shadow areas your wish to keep intact. (Select > Color Range from the menu bar.) Note that Color Range selection works with a Smart Object Layer.With some images, it's easier to select the highlight areas with the Color Range selection tool. If you do this, you won't need to invert the selection, as described in Step 4. Note how I choose Quick Mask as a Selection Preview in the Color Range dialog box. I find it makes it easier to see my selection, but experiment for yourself and see which option works best for you. Figure 5-16
3) Invert your selection (Selection > Inverse) and turn your selection into a mask by clicking on the Create Layer Mask icon found at the bottom of the Layer palette. Figure 5-17
4) With the Layer Mask selected, use the Brush tool to add and subtract from the mask, revealing or hiding parts of the layer accordingly.
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Note: Using Masks is a subject unto itself. For more on this, I suggest you use the excellent Adobe Help tool found in the menu bar or check out Deke McClelland's Adobe Photoshop CS2 One-on-One (O'Reilly, 2005).
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5) The final image is shown here. Figure 5-18
USING PHOTOSHOP'S BLENDING OPTIONS
This method, using the Blending Options in Photoshop, is fast and doesn't rely on masking techniques, but it doesn't work well on all images. (Case in point: It didn't work on the previous example.) It can be used on Smart Object layers. To use it:
1) After pasting or placing the duplicate layer, right-click on a layer thumbnail. Choose Blending Options. Figure 5-19
2) This brings up the Layer Style dialog box. Figure 5-20
3) Use the Blend If sliders at the bottom of the dialog box to control the relationship between layers. If you hold Opt/Alt while clicking anywhere on the This Layer slider, it will automatically spilt the values. Try doing the same with the Underlying Layer slider. The result may be adequate. If not, tweak the sliders to get the blend just right. Figure 5-21
Blending Two or More Copies of an Image
There are actually several ways to do this. I'll show you two variations, one based on using a layer mask, the other on using Layer Blending Options.
CREATING A MASK
The goal is to leave the correct parts of one image and delete the others. To do this:
1) Select the layer you wish to mask. Shown here are two Layer palettes, one with a Smart Object layer (right), the other without. (left) Figure 5-15
Figure 5-15.
click to enlarge
2) Use the Color Range selection tool to select the shadow areas your wish to keep intact. (Select > Color Range from the menu bar.) Note that Color Range selection works with a Smart Object Layer.With some images, it's easier to select the highlight areas with the Color Range selection tool. If you do this, you won't need to invert the selection, as described in Step 4. Note how I choose Quick Mask as a Selection Preview in the Color Range dialog box. I find it makes it easier to see my selection, but experiment for yourself and see which option works best for you. Figure 5-16
Figure 5-16.
click to enlarge
3) Invert your selection (Selection > Inverse) and turn your selection into a mask by clicking on the Create Layer Mask icon found at the bottom of the Layer palette. Figure 5-17
Figure 5-17.
click to enlarge
4) With the Layer Mask selected, use the Brush tool to add and subtract from the mask, revealing or hiding parts of the layer accordingly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Using Masks is a subject unto itself. For more on this, I suggest you use the excellent Adobe Help tool found in the menu bar or check out Deke McClelland's Adobe Photoshop CS2 One-on-One (O'Reilly, 2005).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) The final image is shown here. Figure 5-18
Figure 5-18.
click to enlarge
USING PHOTOSHOP'S BLENDING OPTIONS
This method, using the Blending Options in Photoshop, is fast and doesn't rely on masking techniques, but it doesn't work well on all images. (Case in point: It didn't work on the previous example.) It can be used on Smart Object layers. To use it:
1) After pasting or placing the duplicate layer, right-click on a layer thumbnail. Choose Blending Options. Figure 5-19
Figure 5-19.
click to enlarge
2) This brings up the Layer Style dialog box. Figure 5-20
Figure 5-20.
click to enlarge
3) Use the Blend If sliders at the bottom of the dialog box to control the relationship between layers. If you hold Opt/Alt while clicking anywhere on the This Layer slider, it will automatically spilt the values. Try doing the same with the Underlying Layer slider. The result may be adequate. If not, tweak the sliders to get the blend just right. Figure 5-21
Figure 5-21.
click to enlarge
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