Using Layers, masks and multiple exposures to avoid blown highlights

**Darvidanoar** · 10-02-2009, 1:18pm

Originally Posted by mercho

Awesome Tutorial! Thanks for posting this! I usually use HDR when this happens, but this seems like a far better way to do it

Yeah, I know HDR is supposed to be good for high contrast scenes, but I haven't had much luck with them. I generally get more natural results using this method.

**TEITZY** · 10-02-2009, 1:58pm

Thanks for that David. Just wondering if I can do the same thing with Corel PhotoPaint X4? I have a pretty limited knowledge of the program but seems to be a bit different than the Paint Shop Pro.

Cheers
Leigh

**Darvidanoar** · 10-02-2009, 8:10pm

Originally Posted by TEITZY

Thanks for that David. Just wondering if I can do the same thing with Corel PhotoPaint X4? I have a pretty limited knowledge of the program but seems to be a bit different than the Paint Shop Pro.

Cheers
Leigh

hmmm, just had a look on the Corel web site and don't see any product called Photopaint X4. As far as I'm aware, PSP PhotoX2 is Corel's only serious competitor with Adobe Photoshop.

**marko** · 10-02-2009, 9:13pm

Awesome tut. I'll head out and take some shots to test with this on my next day off!

**jev** · 10-02-2009, 9:40pm

Originally Posted by Darvidanoar

hmmm, just had a look on the Corel web site and don't see any product called Photopaint X4. As far as I'm aware, PSP PhotoX2 is Corel's only serious competitor with Adobe Photoshop.

Corel PhotoPaint is part of the CorelDraw Graphics Suite, from which the current version is X4. Now, it has been quite a while since I checked the Graphics Suite, but if I remember correctly PhotoPaint is not comparable to PSP and/or PhotoShop at all when it comes to processing photo's. It is very, very limited for the purpose of photo editing.

@TEITZY: you're much better of using PaintShop Pro than Corel PhotoPaint. No, PSP is not up to par with PhotoShop, but than again the pricetag is a lot smaller too.

**TEITZY** · 10-02-2009, 10:25pm

Thanks jev. I will try and have play with it when I get a chance but it is certainly different to PSP going off David's tutorial. I use CorelDraw for doing ads and brochures for work but probably don't even use 1% of its features. I just use PhotoPaint for cloning and frames which it does pretty well.

Cheers
Leigh

**lourdes** · 10-02-2009, 11:54pm

Thanks David,

**clm738** · 13-02-2009, 11:31pm

Thanks David. HDR, to me, look un-natural and so I haven't tried it out. But this method look great and I will sure try it out. Thanks for a great, and easy to understand for us dummies, tutorial.

**rossco** · 13-02-2009, 11:39pm

an awesome tutorial, as you know i struggle with these shots, thank you

**Kevin M** · 14-02-2009, 8:09am

I have photoshop ....so will try it out for myself the tools are indeed similiar...

thank you David great tutorial ...I must admit to having limited use of the mask tool.

**Darvidanoar** · 14-02-2009, 10:12am

Thanks for the kind comments, folks. I use layers a lot and I don't think I make any secret of it when talking about my techniques at the meets.

Any time I want to apply an effect to part of an image, say the sky or a foreground element, I'll use layers and masks rather than the selection tool as I find I can get the most natural looking end result. Once you get the hang of it, you start to see all sorts of possibilities.

**saratoga** · 15-02-2009, 6:37pm

I agree that learning layers and masks is photoshop is an essential skill. Quickmask is also very useful.

If you start using masks and selections a lot then get a graphics tablet..they are invaluable and not expensive( I have a wacom bamboo 450 and it was $110).

**mrsgrumblebum** · 20-02-2009, 8:53pm

I have paintshop pro photoX2. I might have a play in in the coming weeks.
Thanks for showing us how David.

**Shane** · 29-04-2009, 4:49pm

Thanks David. When first read this a couple of weeks ago I knew it was good but my PP skills were almost non-existant. Now my knowledge has increased a little I gave it a go and it worked out great. You have helped me heaps.

The only thing I did differently was that I took one shot in RAW processed for the sky background and then again for the subject. (in this case a truck) I then followed your tutorial and am very happy with the result.

Thanks again.

Shane.

**notahonda** · 30-04-2009, 12:50pm

OMG!! this tutorial is awesome! thanks heaps!!

**Nic076** · 30-04-2009, 2:44pm

Thank you so much for doing this. I have a couple of these examples from shots I took recently so I will have to pull the shots from the recycle bin

Thanks again David.

**matilda** · 06-05-2009, 8:16am

this tutorial was really simple and easy to understand, that i'm going to trial it out today!

**98octane** · 10-09-2010, 11:27pm

I've just chanced upon this tutorial when reading the waterfalls Q&A thread. It's a great tutorial - very easy to follow. It also works in Photoshop. Also nice to know I've been doing it right! I used this technique for these shots:

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