Daisy ~ Longwood Gardens Spring Workshop
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER VERSION
I have always wanted Canon to have the multiple exposure feature that some of the Nikon cameras have. When I heard about the release of Canon’s new camera body the Canon 1D X I was elated- then I heard a lot of things about the new camera that may not make it my dream camera. See more info about the new Canon ID X from Peter Kes’ blog. Anyway having this feature in camera would be fun and I have even thought about buying a Nikon camera body with this feature just so I could create these looks but the more I thought about it the more I realized how inconvenient it would be to lug an additional camera body and lens around- like I don’t have enough gear to cart around! I created an action years ago but never really used it or thought about it till lately after one of my Longwood Gardens workshops when Mary Stamper suggested that my bloggers might be interested in the how-to, so here it is.
I start off by bringing my single image into Photoshop and so that I don’t have to repeat these steps again and again I go ahead and set up an action (easy step-by-step instructions for those folks that don’t know how to set up an action). I then create 9 duplicate layers. Then I reduce the opacity of the top layer to 10% then with (Ctrl T) for the Transform Tool I turn the top layer slightly (please note you don’t have to turn all of the layers as I did here you may wish to move some or all side-to-side or up and down or a combo of both. It is important that all the layer movements be small, be creative with your movements and set up a variety of actions that yield different looks, consider this just a basic how-to). I continue changing the opacity of each of the other layers ( example -layer 9 opacity set to 10%, layer 8 opacity set to 20%, layer 7 opacity set to 30% …) and turning each one slightly in the same direction until I have done them all. Once you have created your action give it a try and make sure it’s the look you want. Now you’re ready to quickly create a multiple exposure look anytime you want from a single image capture. You will need to trim the edges of your finished image so start with an uncropped version or loose crop. I used a layer mask on each of the layers to reveal a bit of detail randomly throughout the image and in the center. I finished off the look with a texture overlay to jazz it up a bit.:)
______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito
Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition
Good advice Denise!! I think you would find that while in-camera multiple exposures can provide benefits at times (and can be fun!), many will find that they get great results and enjoy the precision and creativity you can get from Photoshop, like you have demonstrated here! Great image!
Thank you Scott, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts
denise
I’m not sure which sounds more difficult, the camera/lens addition or the layers upon layers in Photoshop. I would say that you aced the image regardless! Beautiful, soft and airy. Almost looks like a powder dusting. Nicely done Denise.
Thanks Deb, I appreciate the kind words. The good thing is since I created an action I really just have to press a button
denise
Wonderful image! I agree with Scott. Even though my Nikon will make multiple exposures, I’d rather do it in Photoshop. Thanks for the how-to.
Thanks Dennis, I appreciate it
denise
As a Nikon user, I don’t have to go through this procedure but I appreciate a beautiful flower abstract when I see one and this one is exceptionally beautiful.
You do workshops at Longwood Gardens? I would love to shoot there with you. I must look out for your schedule and receive your guidance on putting into practice some of the lessons I am learning from reading your “Guide to Pleasing Blurs” ebook (which is excellent, by the way!). I must look out for your workshop schedule.
Thanks Shaun, I will be conducting a workshop at Longwood Gardens this April, hope you can make it. Thank you for the very kind words about my Guide to Pleasing Blurs-glad you like it!
denise
Excellent image. Many thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you Amal, I appreciate it as always
denise
Beautiful Denise! Thank you for the tutorial, I have to give this a try…first to create an action. I do miss this in the Canon cameras but don’t want to go to Nikon. Thankyou so much!
Thanks Nancy, I don’t want to change over to Nikon either- too costly and time consuming at this point.
denise
Denise, I love this idea for creating the multiple exposure look in this lovely image. I’ll have to give this a try, considering I have never once used the multiple exposure feature on my Nikons. Thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you Andrew, Can’t believe you never used it with all the trees that you photograph
denise
Excellent technique with fabulous results Denise.
Thanks Len
denise
Thanks for this wonderful post, Denise. Nice technique. I can envision a few creative uses for this. You’ve done a great job with this image.
Thanks so much Jimi! and thanks for the tweet!!
denise
Your creativity really blows me away Denise. I love the finished image. Thanks for the step by step.
Thank you Edith, much appreciated
denise
Wonderful image Denise. Thank you so much for the tip. I’ll have to try this sometime!
Thanks Phillip, I appreciate the kind words
denise
Hi Denise, I like your image, and thank for this tip. I’ll try to see the results.
Hi Fernando, thank you very much.
denise