Fun with Photoshop layers: combining in-camera techniques with digital enhancements.

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To use this technique, choose the subject matter and begin in-camera by panning the image vertically and then photograph the identical topic, but pan in a horizontal manner, up and down and sideways etc. With both images open in Photoshop CS3[R] rotate the vertical image and drag it over the horizontal image using the move tool so that you have two layers in the horizontal image: the Background layer (the Horizontal image) and Layer 2, which is the vertical image. In the layer's palette reduce the opacity of Layer 2--taking it down to around 50%. This technique requires experimenting a great deal because some images require a lower or higher opacity depending upon the look preferred and how many images are used. More than two images can be combined; it is possible to use 3, 4 or even more. The goal is to make a pattern--looking like a weave or other design.

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This photographer's personal preference is to show the forest in all of these images, so that is where these examples start. I especially like the sky and greenery or flora to show through the images, giving it a little bit of nature but still an abstract result. Consider at first combining two, and then begin crafting different finished images to see what can be created. The end results will always be unexpected surprises. Consider architecture images: apply the same technique; making sure something of the original lines of the building are still there, but in a very abstract, creative way.

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In addition to crossing the the vertical and horizontal images in Photoshop, Blossom Dreamscape was a multi exposure in the camera.

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Leonie Holmes

Milton, Ontario