Photo Stacking
Creating multiple photos of the same subject to give more depth or more detail to your image.
1. Import your jpeg files into Photoshop, directly via Lightroom or from your desktop
Import from Lightroom: select all the images you wish to use then click EDIT > Edit In > Open as Layers in Photoshop
Import from Desktop: in Photoshop go to FILE > Scripts > Load file into stacks > Browse > chose your images > click OK > images drop as layers into Photoshop
Once you have the images imported into Photoshop and as individual layers:
2. Select all the layers
3. EDIT > Auto-Align all layers > AUTO > OK
4. EDIT > Auto Blend > Stack Images > OK
There is no optimum number of photos required for stacking, but the more images the more detail. Keep in mind the file sizes to make sure your hardware can cope with the processing - don't use 1000 photos if you don't have a fantastic built in processor!
Long Exposure
Creating an image with a long shutter, best use is for photographing water to get a silk like finish. Tripod and ND filters essential.
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​1. Find your subject and set up your tripod, make sure it's sturdy and out of the wind. Remove your camera strap to avoid unintentional movement. If it's very windy, try and set your camera up as low to the ground as possible to avoid it being knocked.
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2. Work out your composition and turn camera to manual.
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3. Set you ISO to 100, your F-stop to either F8 or F11 and your shutter speed will be dependent on your camera's exposure meter. [You'll see this through the view finder, normally at the bottom of the viewfinder - having the exposure at 0 means it's exposed correctly. Anything to the right is over exposed, anything to the left is underexposed. It is usually better if landscape photos are slightly underexposed. You can take up to a 30 second exposure, anything longer than that requires your camera to be in BULB mode with shutter release.]
4. Auto Focus your shot as normal, then turn the lens to manual focus. Zoom in on live view to manually check your focus is correct.
5. Set your camera to a 3 second delayed shutter, this again prevents any camera shake.
6. Take the shot. You may need an ND filter, this will depend on the amount of light available. You could also use a narrower aperture, eg F16 or F18 to slow the shutter speed down.
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For shots over 30 seconds you must work in B [Bulb] mode
There are various ND filters on the market - three to consider are screw on, magnetised or drop into a square holder attached to the lens. There are pros and cons for all of these options, so research which style is more suited to you. You will also need to purchase a shutter release cable, or use the Bluetooth option for wireless shutter release.
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1. Follow steps 1-6 as above.
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2. Calculate your shutter speed based on what a "normal" exposure would be without the ND filter. Make sure your focus is correct and on manual. Then add your ND Filter. There are plenty of long exposure charts to calculate your shutter speed, but one of the easiest options is to download a free app called Big LEE Stopper. This app allows you to choose either a 6 stop or 10 stop filter. You turn the dials and enter the "normal" shutter speed and choose the filter you have on your camera. The app will then tell you how long you need to have your shutter open. I'm sure there are lots of apps out there!
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3. Use shutter release button to start the exposure and use a stopwatch to time your exposure. Some cameras have stopwatches, or you can use your iphone. The LEE app has a timer too.
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4. Take the shot. You may need to take several shots to get the shutter speed "right" for how you want the image to look, but make sure the exposure is correct regardless of shutter speed. Play around with various times as the charts are just guidelines. Be aware also that light conditions may alter during your exposure time, so that might impact the finished image.
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Once you get practise this workflow, long exposure will be easy and lots of fun!! It just takes a few attempts to get to grips with everything you need to do. But work slowly through your list and take your time. Long Exposure photography is a slow style of photography, just enjoy being in the moment!​​
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