Shutter Blend
By combining two images with the an identical composition but different shutter speeds, it is possible to create an image which would have been impossible with traditional photography - a photograph combining two different exposure times within the same frame.
All the images were recorded as a Nikon RAW file (NEF) and then processed in Adobe Camera RAW to 16-bit TIFF files. Their dimensions were up scaled to 6144 x 4085 pixels.
Stock Image #1
The first image used a short exposure (1/20 @ f/8, 200 ISO) to insure that Hannah’s face was crisp and well- focused. We produced several versions with subtly different poses to provide a couple of options for the final assembled image.
Stock Image #2
The second image used a longer exposure (1/5@ f/16, 200 ISO) to create the water blur I sought but, as a side effect, Hannah’s face and torso suffered from motion blur. I made a half dozen exposures of different waves pulling back from the shore, hoping to get the effect of water blurring around her figure that I sought.
Image Blend
The two images were placed one over the other and, using layer transparency, carefully aligned. The images were made using a tripod but some differences in the alignment do occur. The two images were then blended using the eraser tool and careful selections until the crisp image of Hannah’s face and torso merged perfectly with the water-blur image behind her.
Tone Adjustment
Once the two images are carefully blended, the two layers are combined and individual areas are adjusted using adjustment layers and masks. These layers are kept in the master file for adjustment at a later date if necessary.
Final Image
After the blending and tone adjustment, the image now looks like what I had pre-visualized in the field - Hannah’s face is crisp and detailed, yet the water pulling back off her hips and legs has a wonderfully soft blur to it from the long shutter speed.