Image merging advice needed

[SamHH]

Can anyone advise on the best way of merging multiple images in Photoshop, for example one that is correctly exposed for the sky and one that is correctly exposed for the land. I understand how to do it using multiple layers and layer masks, but I'm having difficultly getting the effect that I want and making it look natural. It works OK with a straight border between land and sky when I use the gradient tool but it's not so easy with a complicated border between the two. Is there some way making the gradient follow the line of the border?

[CR0X]

not the most technical method, but could you paste one layer on top of another, then use the history brush to remove the parts of the top layer that you don't want? A soft brush might just do the trick.

[_dobbo_]

One way is to select the sky, feather the selection a few hundred pixels (say 250) then copy/paste into the other image.

[GetCarter]

_dobbo_ said:

One way is to select the sky, feather the selection a few hundred pixels (say 250) then copy/paste into the other image.

That's what I do. Though not as many pixels.

[cirks]

What's making you struggle with the layer masks? Change the opacity of the 'black' that you're painting on as you get nearer the underlying parts of the image that you don't want to change. You'll need a big soft brush though.
If using selections, then 250 pixels is what I use too (although it does depend on the subject matter a bit)

[beano500]

SamHH said:

Can anyone advise on the best way of merging multiple images in Photoshop, for example one that is correctly exposed for the sky and one that is correctly exposed for the land.

File > Automate > Merge to HDR???

[SamHH]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was hoping there was a way of applying the gradient tool other than in a straight line as it seems to be a relatively easy and natural looking way of merging images, but I'll try using the other methods suggested.

beano500 said:

SamHH said:

Can anyone advise on the best way of merging multiple images in Photoshop, for example one that is correctly exposed for the sky and one that is correctly exposed for the land.

File > Automate > Merge to HDR???

My program doesn't have that option.