I think they are talking about layering two photos taken with different exposures, one optimized for shadow detail, the other for highlights.
By layering with them with different opacities, and possibly using graduated screens or tints, you can achieve a tonal range beyond that possible with any actual film or sensor.
There is a recent thread or tutorial posted here.
If your lighting and exposure is such that you already have your desired level of detail throughout highlight, midtone, and shadow ranges, then don't bother with this.
i use a layering technique to boost contrast in underexposed areas of an image which involves
duplicating the BG image to a new layer ( on top )
desaturating the duplicate
inverting the duplicate
gausian blurring the duplicate ( fairly substantially ) and fading the blur.
EDIT - set the duplicate layer to OVERLAY ( sorry about that oversite )
in this image the subject was completely black until i used that technique not DPC legal - but it should be
( its an adjustment layer of sorts and applied to the entire image in my mind )
Layering can also be used to reduce random noise. By taking multiple exposures of the same object, layering them and dividing the opacity between them, the random noise will be cancelled (or at least reduced). This technique is common within astrophotography.
I use both of the techniques (the one mentioned by Soup and Jen's - ButterflySys sharpening technique). I wanted to add that in sharpening images using a high pass/overlay, I often duplicate the overlay high pass layer and set to screen, and a low percentage (~ between 10 and 20), to lighten up the image just a touch. Works beautifully.
I use both of the techniques (the one mentioned by Soup and Jen's - ButterflySys sharpening technique). I wanted to add that in sharpening images using a high pass/overlay, I often duplicate the overlay high pass layer and set to screen, and a low percentage (~ between 10 and 20), to lighten up the image just a touch. Works beautifully.
Ursula
BTW also not DPChallenge legal :))
That's pretty much what I do, Ursula, but instead of Screen I use Hard Light. I actually learned to do this from here. I'm going to give your Screen a try.
I use both of the techniques (the one mentioned by Soup and Jen's - ButterflySys sharpening technique). I wanted to add that in sharpening images using a high pass/overlay, I often duplicate the overlay high pass layer and set to screen, and a low percentage (~ between 10 and 20), to lighten up the image just a touch. Works beautifully.
Ursula
BTW also not DPChallenge legal :))
That's pretty much what I do, Ursula, but instead of Screen I use Hard Light. I actually learned to do this from here. I'm going to give your Screen a try.
Jen
I use BOTH hard light and screen. In other words, I end up with 3 layers: the background layer, the first high pass layer, and the second high pass layer. The first high pass layer I blend in either "hard light" or "overlay", at a percentage anywhere from 30 to quite high. The second high pass layer I blend in screen mode, at 10-20%. This second layer high pass layer I use only when the picture is looking too darkish. Occasionally I've had good results using only one high pass layer, blended in "soft light", at a pretty high percentage.
in this image the subject was completely black until i used that technique not DPC legal - but it should be
( its an adjustment layer of sorts and applied to the entire image in my mind )
I think it should be also. It's a basic "Real Darkroom" technique called "Contrast Balancing". It should be allowed in DPC.
I wanted to add that in sharpening images using a high pass/overlay, I often duplicate the overlay high pass layer and set to screen, and a low percentage (~ between 10 and 20), to lighten up the image just a touch. Works beautifully.
Setting the layer to Soft Light works really great too.
I wanted to add that in sharpening images using a high pass/overlay, I often duplicate the overlay high pass layer and set to screen, and a low percentage (~ between 10 and 20), to lighten up the image just a touch. Works beautifully.
Setting the layer to Soft Light works really great too.
Thank you, Frank, I will try that. AND - welcome to DPChallenge!!!
