[wiggwigg2010]

Originally Posted by LaPistola

Method one: Masking

Get all your exposures into one PS file each in there own layer. Not important in which order but it makes sense to have some order so maybe darkest the bottom most layer.

Now using any of the selection (lasgo - marquee - marching ants) tool you select the area from each image you wish to show. You generally want to show the elements that are perfectly exposed from each. Which selection tool you use will depend on the element but in each you want to refine the edge and use a feather of some sort. Not a huge feather, maybe 3-6. Once your happy inverse the selection and click the mask layer button.

Once done to all layers use the healing tools to bend in any parts that don't look perfect and make sure there are details everywhere (in highlights and shadows). Now you merge layers and do the other PP.

Method two: Bending

Again all exposures into PS layers. But before doing so do some PP on the images to bring out the highlights in lighter exposures and shadows in the darker exposures. These do need to be in the order darken to light but the bottom most layer needs to be a white solid colour.

Now change the bend mode on all the layers other than the darkest and white colour to multiply and reduce there opacity down to desired, around the 5-10% works well.

Now using local edits make sure there is detail everywhere the merge and do the rest of the PP.

you my friend, are a god

thank you