Stumped on Merging Images

[SamSpade]

I have a new problem that I just can't seem to solve. Since I am new to PS, I hope someone will explain how to perform two very simple tasks.

Recently, I wanted to photograph a scene that had a very wide contrast range. The range was beyond the camera's ability to obtain proper exposure in the shadows without blowing out the bright areas of the scene.

I had read that Photoshop has a capability to combine one image that recorded good detail in the highlights, with a second exposure that captured detail in the midtones and shadows. So, I put my camera on a tripod and took the two exposures while maintaining the position of my camera.

Using PS CS2 and my Windows PC, I would like to merge the two images using a layer mask to selectively include only the properly exposed portions of the images. The problem is I can't get started. The initial two steps are evading me, despite consulting all of my CS2 text references. The problem steps are:

1. How do I get both images on the PS screen at the same time; and
2. The first image I open in PS creates a Background layer. How do I get the second image to be a layer just above the Background layer?

Thanks for your help

 

[MindBender]

I'll show you how to fix both steps in one quick motion.

Open both documents in Photoshop and make sure you can see both of them at once. Using the move tool, click and drag the one you want on top onto the other document while holding the shift key.

 

[SamSpade]

I have both images on the screen in PS. I used the Move tool to position one image over the other one by clicking and dragging while holding down the shift key. When both images were aligned, I let go of the mouse and the shift key. The problem is nothing happens. More specifically, the second image does not appear as a layer in the layers palette.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Gaussian]

I had read that Photoshop has a capability to combine one image that recorded good detail in the highlights, with a second exposure that captured detail in the midtones and shadows. So, I put my camera on a tripod and took the two exposures while maintaining the position of my camera.

Seems to me after reading this that you want to use HDRI. In that case your approach is wrong; you do not need to have both files open or have them aligned, after all you told us that you shot them with a tripod, right?

I would like to merge the two images using a layer mask to selectively include only the properly exposed portions of the images

Why do that if HDRI will do that for you?

I'm not on my own computer right, which is why I can't show detailed steps and screenshots, so my advice is to check the help or this link:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml

 

[SamSpade]

If I try to merge the two images (a properly exposed image of the highlights and midtines, and one of the shadow areas) I am expecting each image to be a layer in the layer palette. Here is my original question:

The first image I open in PS creates a Background layer. How do I get the second image to be a layer just above the Background layer?

Should I be expecting this? If so, how do I get the second image to appear as a layer?

Thanks for your help.

 

[SamSpade]

Gaussian,

Thanks for the suggestion to use HDRI as a technique for merging two images. I must admit I had never heard of "HDRI" so I consulted my guide books on Photoshop. The way the books describe the technique it certainly seems to one for two image merging. However, at my "new to Photoshop" status, the steps seem far beyond what I am capable of doing.

Do you have any suggestions for allowing me to merge the images in the way I have started out?

Thanks again.