Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

[frankg]

Can anyone point me to a link or directions on how to blend several layers (of different photos) into something like this example -

http://www.alexeytitarenko.com/city17.html (navigate site to see more examples)

or this one where he combined several people into one portrait

http://www.ourface.com/english/works/ourface.html

sorry, neither site is easy to navigate but you'll get the idea

thanks
Frank

[skoobey]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

In camera. Long exposure.

[frankg]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

Really? In camera. I don't think so. But I could be proved wrong.

There are up to 20 people 'merged' or 'multiple exposure'd', or photoshop layered into one image.

He kept each person's size relatively the same in the frame.

a few small jpegs attached

[skoobey]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

There are many photos, I was referring to the "blurry" effect. You can emulate this by:
1 having photos that you need
2 stacking them up, lowering the opacity of each one and masking
3 using motion or radial blur on some of he layers
4 noise, grain and artifacts are added using soft light, linear light, multiply and screen

[frankg]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

Yes, I've been trying multiple layers and trying different opacities and blend modes, without any success. Fumbling in the dark without proper method, or any success. Hence my original post

[skoobey]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

Starting with a premise that it's done in post is IMHO wrong. Also, samples represent great photography.
If you want to do it in PS however, you need to get a clear idea of what your goal is before you start the work. Define a concept and make a sketch, from there gather all the elements and start combining them following the concept.

[Profesh]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

Yes, I've been trying multiple layers and trying different opacities and blend modes, without any success. Fumbling in the dark without proper method, or any success. Hence my original post

Have you tried performing a low-pixel high-pass prior to blending multiple variations, perhaps in conjunction with the Soft Light filter?

[skinnerphoto]

Re: Stacking, Merging, multiple-layers?

Hi.
I just joined the forum and came across this post... although old I wouldn't say the response you were looking for was found.
This is a technique of blending in PS. I've done my own experimentation with it after taking a look at the incredible works of Pep Ventosa http://www.pepventosa.com/
The technique consists in taking multiple photos of the same subject... in some cases all around (so you end up with a merged 360 picture) and in some other cases from the same point but with slight variations. Once all the pics are stacked as layers on PS you can change the blend modes of each one and adjust/mask according to your desire. It's a fun experimentation and results can be pleasant and open doors to other pieces that you might find interesting. Some pieces with strong colors can also work very well too when there is a dominance of one of the tones (a light source, a strong corporate identifying tone... you name it). Hope this helps you to understand it a little bit better.