Photography's Best Kept Secrets - Time Blending

[@kennethtam9779]

So that’s how they get all those lights on twilight shots for the tourism board stock photos….!

[@simoncennals]

Could very well be!

[@a3hindawi]

Thanks!

[@simoncennals]

No thank you! Appreciate it.

[@fabienb]

This is only for the very patients of us! :) I've been doing this for years now and always very much enjoyed the process, mostly because to me it's a sort of mindfulness exercise to stay in one spot for 2-3 hours admiring the show of Nature changing its colours and blending with the man-made lights. It's all really soothing to me... Until I get to edit, haha! I'd say the one secret sauce you are still missing here is the use of Luminosity masks, but with the new features in the editing apps it's less and less necessary. Well done mate

[@simoncennals]

I've used luminosity masks for this before but felt that may be a bit complicated for this video! Been a while though so I'll have to get back into it.

[@ArminHirmer]

nice

[@simonprine3795]

I learned a couple things in this one, thanks for sharing. Bored of Toronto after travelling so much this year, I might come out to Calgary for a bit, maybe we will cross paths. Keep up the great work

[@randomcanad14n3h]

I was in Calgary recently. If you go there just to take photos, the Calgary Tower is a must! Not only are the views incredible in person, but the variety of angles and potential compositions feel limitless, from wide skyline views, to close ups looking down at the streets. Even if your skills aren't perfect, you'll still leave with amazing results.

[@alanalain4884]

... And right behind that, wait another 3 hours to get a good star trail...😄. Cool video, thank you...

[@juergenbaumann8817]

Hi Simon, thanks for sharing - nice explanation of the process. I might add, that the location scouting considering the desired time frame is very important. I do that for that type of project as often as I can. It is worth the time and definitely pays off when doing the real shoot.

[@corbinmiller7627]

Absolutely great!

[@toddroy9558]

I would like to see you do it step by step, not skipping anything. Lots of time I’ve watched videos like this and people skip a lot of steps. Great video

[@simoncennals]

Just skipped through a lot of the basic editing steps which are really down to preference. My first tutorial though so maybe I'll do some more detailed ones in the future

[@automotivephoto]

so simple and so genius! thank you mate!

[@JohnEboyee]

The best part is when you get home only to dislike the composition and have to run to the better spot after work the following day to do it all again because the rest of the week is nothing but blue skies. Additionally, having a second camera, tripod, lenses, etc if you can hack the gear weight is a great way to pass time by shooting what's around you. Great things happen when we master patience. Nice video and photo 👍

[@simoncennals]

Having two cameras is a game changer!

[@waynethornton2174]

You can definitely be proud of that one. Worth the trouble. Beautiful!

[@JackieDElia]

I enjoyed watching this video. Beautiful technique. 👏

[@DRMadeIt]

Awesome video

[@hoonior]

first time visitor, thank you, that's fascinating

[@lightmeetslens]

Simon, I have been watching from a far for a while, trying to grow my own channel and looking for what works, what doesn't. I am so very happy that this video is taking off and your subscribe base if growing. You are great, your content is great, I wish you all of the success. Excellent work!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks, this video really took off, I didn't expect it at all!

[@lightmeetslens]

@@simoncennals Sometimes it just happens!

[@carlosamat]

good vid good work

[@OwenEDell]

This is a real eye-opener. Challenging yet worth it for the singular look. Thanks.

[@simoncennals]

Give it a go for sure!

[@alf_lim]

Love the tutorial. Your channel deserves more followers!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks mate, working on the subscribers for sure!

[@geoffreygriffiths1487]

I have been taking multiple timed photos of sunrises for time lapses and I have been wondering if they could be blended. You have given me an idea to try, thanks.

[@simoncennals]

Go back and use them! If you have lots of images you have lots of options. It's a great way to produce cool images from timelapse stills too.

[@JeahnLaffitte]

I really enjoyed this! It’s a more calculated version of “light painting” and I love that. Well done!

[@Twobarpsi]

That is an amazing photo!

[@arihopatson]

The results were really awesome I have got to try this

[@peterbear2929]

Great work Simon. Blend modes have a big impact. It's good to see them in action. Result is impressive. Certainly more of thiswould be welcome.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching. Working on a few more videos when I get chance!

[@lowercasechris]

Incredible

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

I always enjoy seeing different work flows and post-processing techniques... The end result was well worth the patience and effort, for it's when I return from whatever weather I've suffered here in the northern Plains, that's when I am either rewarded or not in post. I've never used LR, so PS has always been my go-to set of tools, something for which I'm frequently glad.

[@virtualbigboxph]

Just wow!!!

[@LucidCreature]

This is brilliant, thanks for sharing!

[@blessedandbiwithahintofmagic]

This was such a cool idea, thank you aooo sooo much ^&^

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

This would work well for evening realty outdoor home photos as well. I will give it a try. Thanks for posting!

[@simoncennals]

I think it's pretty commonly used in that genre of photography actually!

[@robestey5628]

Very cool. Thank you

[@derekrowanphotographics]

Great technique 😊 , its simulator method used for nightscape & light painting. I would maximise the session by shooting a Timelapse then layer blend a selection as a secondary objective 👍

[@simoncennals]

That's what I've often find in the past!

[@malaranu6883]

Very useful

[@manass2702]

Thanks for the video. This is great!

[@jimgrantham6139]

Great work. Love it!

[@juliobarillas4072]

Owesome work. I would like to see more tutorials, something that I have been trying to do for a wile.

[@simoncennals]

I'll try and do a few more. I have some ideas!

[@jaegerschtulmann]

Awesome image and technique, thank you for sharing. A couple of questions; Do you have to auto align all layers? When shooting with your mirrorless camera do you recommend shutting IBIS off?

[@simoncennals]

I think I did auto align layers, just depends how much you trust your tripod and yourself! Never really hurts to do though. I believe if you turn your IS off on your lens it deactivates your IBIS. However on modern cameras I don't think it matters that much.

[@maxbiho]

great!

[@johnwells2908]

Great video, love the technique

[@ogston]

Thank you Simon. This video was really very interesting, and at the right pace too. I’d like to find a nice quite spot to do this in central London.

[@simoncennals]

Be some great places in London for it I'm sure!

[@barneysaunders6278]

Really liked the video. Thank you

[@EriqQ6]

This was very well made video loved it from start to finish and enjoyed the way everything was captured.. love the photo and .love the video all together was edited straight to the point....

[@simoncennals]

Thank you, really appreciate it

[@EriqQ6]

@@simoncennals you deserve it 🙂

[@airsearch9192]

Thanks for a valuable topic and a relatively straight forward tutorial. If I may make a suggestion, please consider dropped the audio intensity of your music to -12 db or lower, while maintaining your voice at -6 db. In general you should assume that most viewers won't like your music, so it's better to keep it low and innocuous, (neutral).

[@simoncennals]

Hey, thanks mate. Could you let me know what sections of music were too loud? On my laptop speakers it all sounded pretty good and I have been making an effort to balance them.

[@BommeltjeNL]

Never heard of timeblending before, but that's an awesome endresult 🖼️ I don't have Photoshop, but will check out if Affinity Photo or Lightroom Mobile can do something simular. Thanks for the video 👍

[@simoncennals]

I'm sure there are other programs you can do the same thing in.

[@herlingadventures]

its funny how i was thinking about doing this and found this video. Cant wait to try it.

[@Rich-Reacts-2024]

Great video!!!

[@JoanEscala]

Hi, Simon! I found you here yesterday, and I like your videos very much. The way you explained the info, the places, etc... I lived in Utah, USA, for eight years and always wanted to come to your area for landscape and wildlife photography. It was a dream, but due to fires in the summertime and COVID-19, it was not possible for me. Damn it! I think that we have a similar taste for photography, so I'll be watching your videos here. Actually, I'm thinking of buying the Canon 6DM2 ( great price ) to update my 7DM2. I'm not sure to buy a mirrorless camera yet. Above all, for landscape photography. Let's see...Thanks, buddy, and keep up the good work! Cheers from the Canary Islands!

[@simoncennals]

Hey! I actually did a video comparing my old 6D to new R6 and for image quality alone it's hard to tell. The images in this video were shot on 6D. Going up to a full frame camera will be a notable difference though especially with low light stuff!

[@JoanEscala]

Yes, I watched that video. Interesting. Yes, I want to jump to full frame. I like to print photos for photo exhibitions, etc. Have a great day, @@simoncennals

[@JeffBishop_KB3QMT]

I did close to the same thing photographing a waterfall about 20 years ago with chrome film. I wanted a slightly slow shutter speed to capture the water with movement, while leaving the camera is the same spot for different aperture settings to pick up detail in the shadows. I took about six photographs and married them together with photoshop giving lots of exposure latitude using a medium noted for little latitude. The end result was really nice, and it was the first print I had where someone seeing it asked if they could buy a copy.

[@simoncennals]

Great story. Love the idea of doing this on film, great stuff!

[@kapurar]

This was an excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@intentionally-blank]

V e r y nice! *Subscribed*

[@johns6290]

love this one and I have never seen it done this way before. Thanks

[@jehanw543]

This is pretty awesome thank you for sharing this. Looking forward to seeing more time blending photos :)

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mm_137]

This is such an amazing technique! Thank you so much!!

[@PhotoTrekr]

My camera doesn't have a time blending button. Just kidding. Great video, Simon!

[@JasonBatterham]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@NickNoblePhotography]

Nice. May try on a coastal pier with denning lights!

[@simoncennals]

Perfect! Combined with some long exposures for the water maybe?

[@canofanger]

Amazing technique! I would love to see more examples of this.

[@simoncennals]

Maybe in the future! It isn't a tutorial but I have a video from last year about the first snowfall of winter and shoot at Emerald Lake and use the technique a bit.

[@jcam783]

Thanks for sharing this , it really helped me understand how important composition is before attempting this .

[@jafargio]

Liked and subscribed. Very useful technique. Thanks for making this video.

[@theovanberkel3524]

Hi Simon. Can't wait to try this one out. Great tips, great video.

[@SingtotheMountainStudio]

Great! Just came across this channel. I appreciate your sacrifice into the Canadian elements make this project.

[@simoncennals]

Ha ha, any time!

[@dalstarvisuals1385]

Really cool! New sub!

[@SCHOOLOFLIGHT]

Super clean tutorial mate. Thank you.

[@simoncennals]

Thank you!

[@georgestiros4392]

great informative video

[@jeanfrancoisim]

Nice result!

[@saskatchewandave]

That's a neat process. I'm a bit too lazy for the photo part as well as the layer editing myself, lol... I have gotten similar results doing city landscapes at night using a tripod and long exposure times, even with a filter on the lens.

[@MegaSoundscapes]

Great inspiration, Thankx !

[@pathfindercod4638]

Most excellent video! Love the technique and outcome, thank you.

[@cjk1943]

❤ I love the video great idea

[@RalfWeyer]

The end result looks really impressive, I like it a lot 👍. If only I could push myself to finally get into Photoshop, I always find it so irritating and complicated. That’s why so far have only used the tools available in Capture One, which in itself is great, but of course is missing the what I would call „detail mode“ in Photoshop. But I’ll definitely give it a try, just one question - could you achieve a somewhat similar result by bracketing?

[@simoncennals]

Bracketing would be more exposure blending. These images were taken an hour apart so the light has changed over that period.

[@driliagor]

You don’t necessarily need PS. You can get a very similar results blending them in LR HDR mode.

[@simoncennals]

@@driliagor suppose it depends how you want to blend them. This isn't traditional HDR and you can be more selective with mask layers in Photoshop. And most people who have Lightroom have Photoshop too as their often packaged together!

[@stephenross6640]

Hi Simon great video on blending, also been enjoying some of your other outings. Wedge Pond one of my favourite locations too! You must try the Beaver Ponds 1 minute past Elbow Falls In Kananaskis Elbow Valley you won't regret it Cheers.

[@simoncennals]

I have looked around there before but never shot there. Would you recommend it in winter?

[@stephenross6640]

I have shot there in winter but it was not completely frozen over great for black and white as well.

[@tinsley999]

wow!! you ave that much snow already!!! toronto here--i don't think we've gone below 0 yet. very interesting!

[@simoncennals]

Bit of an early snowfall. A lot of its melted away now.

[@JonathanRobinson11]

Great. Clear explanation. Informative and helpful.

[@simoncennals]

Thank you!

[@FritzPhoto]

well done!

[@philn1957]

Very interesting technique, thanks for showing the process, one to try

[@emielkeultjes]

Nice thnx!

[@Sean-Smith-Photos]

I really like this and will try it the next time I do a cityscape here in Toronto. Will be using ON1 photo raw, but the principles illustrated in the video will translate nicely. Thanks for doing this video.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching, it's a good technique I'll often use it in landscapes too for getting different areas covered in Golden light was the sun moves.

[@joe-d9427]

Simon, this is the first video of yours that I’ve seen. Well done! I am amazed at some of the negative comments. Photography is an expressive art. How it’s done is up to the artist. I love to have my photos as close to natural as possible. However, I also love trying new techniques to discover further artistic expression. I’ve never tried this technique, but I want to now. Thank you for the video. One question I have, even the Pugh I believe I know the answer. Do you change your settings for each photo? I assume you do.

[@simoncennals]

I changed shutter speed as it got darker, the rest stayed the same. And I agree, I'm not sure why people get so offended as if photography is all documentary or photojournalism. We are under no obligation to represent reality as accurately as possible and it's really just another way to capture an experience and all a bit of fun!

[@DHyre]

Truly an inspiring video! So much to like, from views and videography, to your patient explanation and example. I’m an ON1 user and this new version should allow a similar approach. I need to watch more of your channel :) PS - We’re getting more names for computational photography. This could also be “time stacking”, but your term sounds better!

[@simoncennals]

Always fun to play with be techniques thanks for watching!

[@DHyre]

@@simoncennals Twice I’ve been through Calgary to Banff and beyond, regretted not spending more time there. Such awesome open views! And so close to a plethora of great landscapes to the west. Stay warm and healthy while making those videos!

[@jackleggo9159]

Great video I am looking forward to getting out and trying it.... any more secrets ??

[@simoncennals]

I may do a couple more videos about other lesser known technics so be sure to subscribe!

[@klausschuster2855]

brilliant, I'm just a little skeptical whether I'll be able to achieve this effect in post-process without the Adobe tools

[@simoncennals]

Might be hard without Photoshop but there may be alternatives I'm not familiar with.

[@RockyMtnChick]

So weird - I was just admiring a photo of the Calgary skyline that was split into a mix of day and night shots. Not quite the same as this but my phone is clearly listening to my conversations! This is the first time I’ve seen your channel in my feed too. Sub from another Brit who enjoys Alberta photography 😊 I don’t have the patience (or the circulation) for this, but I wish I did. Great video 👍🏻

[@simoncennals]

Thank you! Hope it was a pleasant surprise

[@RockyMtnChick]

It was! I’ve had quite the binge on your videos this evening 😁

[@Tranquil-Skies]

Very nice image and video, but you forgot to take the hat off when you got back from the cold trip 😉

[@simoncennals]

It's hiding my morning hair!

[@c986759]

Interesting video, greetings from Costa Rica

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Harold!

[@Stevenandrewsiamges]

Thank you so much!!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@kylesharbrough1817]

very cool, gonna have to try that... photoshop is very daunting haha

[@nikytamayo]

Sort of like the exposure bracketing I used to do for work shooting cars. Simply because nothing has the dynamic range to expose both black tires and bright sky properly at the same time. Never thought of trying it for landscapes... Not sure I have the patience!

[@simoncennals]

Exactly, same techniques different use!

[@Joffhope]

Great video, totally random and popped up in my feed. Surprised ive never tried this. I live in Vancouver and we have the most amazing sunsets . Now to find a view point ! Anyone has a primo spot let me know 😊

[@simoncennals]

Vancouver would be a great spot for it! I've seen some great shots shooting from too of grouse or Cyprus mountain I think back towards the city.

[@me4jas]

Excellent effort Simon and a very good image. I know I will probably be downvoted but why do I feel this is more of a photoshopping than photographing technique. May be I am still old school but if you have to use a tool outside of the camera to dramatically transform the image to get the results you want, I would rather use an AI tool to generate the image than use a camera. Again, good work and thank you.

[@simoncennals]

Oh yeah depends how you look at it. I think there are a lot of beginners who look at other work though and don't realize what post processing goes on behind the scenes so hopefully this helps some people.

[@rickkremer0525]

Wonderful video. Can’t wait to try this out. Question for you. Do you apply the blend mode to the other lower layers as well?

[@simoncennals]

Hey Rick, you can it just depends on your layers, it will only show the pixels that are brighter than the ones below. Have a play around.

[@ralphrichter4164]

dear simon. i thought long and truly about whether i should comment on your work, but i think you and your work deserve a comment. i find it fundamentally impressive to put so much empathy and energy into a photo. i know what i'm talking about, living photography, experiencing the moment that shows the picture you imagined at that moment is the greatest thing for a photographer and especially in architectural photography, which is my great love, it is the moment when everything fits together. you can't arrange much, like in the studio, the studio is the world. i have been working as a photographer for almost 40 years now. with 8x10 inch slides, which i digitize myself, a sinar or hasselblad, with phase one digital backs etc. i also work a lot on the computer and edit my pictures, just to explain. but all my pictures are about THE MOMENT. it is unique, authentic and the reason why i capture time with my camera. fading time into each other just to make a picture that didn't exist, just to possibly tune some dynamic range that the camera doesn't have, isn't worth it. the picture you made isn't special enough to be the reason for that. to take a picture, you need a reason, a:why. why am I doing it the way I am doing it. otherwise it's just a reason-free arrangement. the light scene you have chosen for your picture deserves more sensitivity. there is much more in the blue hour than what you have shown. you can certainly do much more. feel the power that this light can give to images. i look forward to seeing more of your best work, which i may have brought out with my comment, i hope you understand my comment constructively. best, ralph

[@simoncennals]

Hi Ralph, it's a video about a technique that is often used but maybe isn't obvious to a beginner which is why I used that technique. Thanks for the input though!

[@PP-fn1od]

This is awesome - great job. Can I trouble you with settings? Was the final shot a longer exposure? Canada! Yes!

[@simoncennals]

Hey, I'd have to check but essentially it was base ISO of 100 and then F11 and shutter speed just changed as the night went on. Towards the end of the night it would have been a second or two exposure just whatever felt right!

[@daesukjameschoi8821]

Nice work, Simon!!! Could you tell me what the camera setting is?

[@simoncennals]

It changed throughout. ISO100 and F11 were the only settings that stayed the same.

[@daesukjameschoi8821]

@@simoncennals Thanks. Where do you live in Canada?

[@PetrGanaj]

Not making a time lapse, when you were already there the whole day, is a bit missed opportunity I think ;) Otherwise great tip, I'll try to revisit photos from some of my older time lapses if they can be used this way... Thank you.

[@simoncennals]

Hey mate, that's actually what I often will do! Great idea to go back and visit old time lapses. Been a while since I shot a timelapse and I think my hard drives and wallet are thanking me for it!

[@evo8dave]

Great video and beautiful picture!👍Maybe a silly question, but when taking the pictures I'm guessing your changes the camera settings to expose for the light for that particular shot? Out of interest are you doing this remotely so not to disturb the camera or on the camera its self relying on a good sturdy tripod? Sorry for all the questions I'm new to photography.

[@simoncennals]

I changed shutter speed as time went on. Just used a two second self timer and a good tripod. You can always auto align the images in Photoshop if they aren't quite perfect.

[@evo8dave]

@@simoncennals Thanks for the help Simon!👍🏻 Photography is a hobby to me and I got into it because I like my tech / gadgets, so I bought a drone a few years ago! And soon learnt it wasn’t all about flying, not really the way to get into Photography lol. I’m now adventuring into real cameras, I’ve just got myself a Canon R8 and a couple of lenses😊 so got a lot to learn….Hopefully I’ll be able to post some half decent work in the near future!

[@C0keAguila]

you could do more time blending in nature

[@simoncennals]

Definitely, I've used the technique before to gather different light as the clouds move across the sky and combined them together.

[@aventurerocurioso]

thank you so much but i dont know how you got rid off the sunflare

[@simoncennals]

I masked it out to reveal the other layers beneath. So only used the nicer light from that layer and masked out the glare so instead you see the layer underneath

[@aventurerocurioso]

@@simoncennals i really apreciate your response.

[@OlavTvedtCheese]

Would you say that it is an advantage to use manual white balance whilst trying this effect, or would it work just as well with auto white balance?

[@simoncennals]

You can always adjust white balance in post and match them. You may find over time though it makes sense for the white balance to change.

[@sandrokich]

É um método de blending que ainda não tinha visto, usando os modos, e faz muito sentido. Vou testar. Obrigado

[@simoncennals]

Thanks for watching!

[@ChristianRouLund]

Thanks for sharing these exellent tips🙏 They are very informative and well explained! By they way did you shot at f16 to get the star effekt on the lamps?

[@simoncennals]

Think it was probably more F11 but I'd say that lens is best for that at F16. But it's the canon EF 16 to 35 F4 L lens which is great for sunstars!