Page 29 - Cape-Camera-May-June-2025

Cape Camera May-June 2025

combining images and
the bigger the contrast
difference, the better.
"You need to compli-
ment and build on each
layer — don't allow the
elements to compete
with each other."
Most cameras differ in
the way they handle
multiple exposures and
blend modes. Photog-
raphers need to under-
stand their camera's
abilities to blend and
create multiple expo-
sures — and learn to
use them. Charlotte Bellamy's first book was recently published.Right: Multiple combined images and ICM.
When creating ME
images in Photoshop
(see below), she recommends that too busy or distracting. • Use lighten or average blend mode
you play around with different layer • Find a strong central element in the when you combine the layers.
blending modes until you achieve object, on which you can line up • You can add interesting small ele-
the effect you were aiming for. all your shots (e.g. a tree trunk). As ments by, for example, twisting
you walk around the object, take the camera several times on av-
Pep Ventosa – in the round a picture every few paces. Always erage blend mode while photo-
To recreate this technique of shoot- make sure the central element is graphing a leaf.
ing around an object, named after in the middle.
the artist Pep Ventosa, Charlotte • Give yourself more space in the Charlotte has made several YouTube
advises: frame than what you think you’ll tutorials explaining the various ICM
• Select a prominent central object, need. You can crop down later. and EM techniques Find them at htt-
e.g. a tree. You must be able to • You can create as many images to ps://www.youtube.com/@charlot-
walk around it 360 degrees. combine as layers in Photoshop as tebellamycreativephoto. Also see
• Check that the background is not you wish —even as many as 90. https://charlottebellamy.com/.

How to combine images in Photoshop
Bring the images you wish to combine into Photoshop as
layers by clicking on File - Scripts load files into stack - and
selecting the files you want to use.
(From Lightroom: right click on the images you want to
use - select edit - open as layer in Photoshop).
• The images will appear as layers in Photoshop.
• Choose the image to use as your base (e.g. the one you
like most) and line the layers up on top of each other.
• Experiment with the layer blend modes. If you are mak-
ing a set, using the same blend mode will maintain co-
hesitivity in the set.
• Experiment with layer opacity.
• Don't be scared to enlarge or rotate one
of the images to get elements to appear
in the image as you want.
• Decide about the crop you may want
to place and move elements accordingly.
• Flatten layers when you are happy with
your final image. You can make addition-
al adjustments in Photoshop.

Cape Town Photographic Society 29