Super helpful demo! And you answer the logical questions that come to mind like why not use this or that instead. Liked and subscribed, cheers from Seattle!
I just want to compliment you as I've subscribed a while back. You caught my attention with your previous discussions on the zone system. I've used the system in photography years ago and applied it to drawing and art as well. I've also had to live off of my art at various stages of my life. My point is out of all the UA-camr's out there you actually know your art and have wherewithal to use modern tools. I am looking this weekend at your tools because of your skills and depth of knowledge.
Wow! Thank you so much. This is probably the best UA-cam comment I've ever read! If you need any help deciding on things out want further clarification, feel free to email me, blake@f64academy.com
Uses gradient to create a spotlight and says "this is where BlendIf shines". I would buy all your products right this second if you did that pun on purpose. I may still buy all your products eventually.
Been going through your website...membership, and premiums...Jesus man take all my money!!!! I've watched tons of your videos here and love what you do and now I'm just trying to figure out which ones to get first! Well obviously membership first.
Blake's the Blend If King! Blake your term "dynamic masking" really sums it up. But for those of u that still love Luminosity Masks instead, here is something to try with Photoshop that gives u MUCH more flexibility than that awkward Select>Color Range pallette. I don't know if this is a known tip, but it worked GREAT for me...& much more precise to manipulate than creating luminosity masks w/Color Range (but Blend If is still one of the best of all) I'm on a PC): 1. Use the Gradient Map Adjustment Layer of the image u want for it's Highlights or Shadow masking prep. For example if u only want to apply a color shift in your shadows & want more control than using the channels in Curves & are resisting Blend If. 2. Make the points on the Gradient Map slider pure white on one end & pure black on the other. (Or temporarily use bright colors to visually play with areas that will become the mask then change back to black & white sliders.) 3. Slide the points as u watch the shadow & highlight areas in your image on a full screen & with easy to see feathering. AND the beauty is u can add 50% gray values (or any gray value) on the slider bar for even more control. 4. Merge your customized BW Gradient Map onto a copy of your image & go to the Channels & make a new Alpha channel copy of the resulting black & white image. Click on Control (on PC) to activate the "Marching Ants" so you can then use the result as a mask for whatever effect you're applying. Blend If is still best since it is adjustable at ANY time, but I feel if you prefer Luminosity masking, creating them via The Gradient Map as described is much better with more control than Color Range. I just came up with this but maybe it was already "a Thing".
Well, I would like to change the underlying layer to suit the output I want and I don’t want a dynamic mask (!!). That goes against the basic concept of masking. Second, you chose a very easy exposure. Why don’t you take 5 exposures of New York City at dusk, and try how ‘blend if’ works there. I can provide you the images if you don’t have.
I have played with both luminosity masks and blend if for years. I still think masking offers way more precision. At face value Blend If should be quicker, but I have always found luminosity masks work best for blending two different exposures seamlessly. When it comes to adjustment layers I think either work great.
I can see that. Funny thing is I used Luminosity Masks for years and find the opposite. But I think that is just because I have gone all in on Blend If. It just shows the unique qualities of techniques in Photoshop and what works best for some may not be best for others :) open mindedness is the key.
Great stuff Blake! I have a curious question that drives me nuts :) as I have goggled and cannot find the answer!! --What or why is is called "IF"--what does "IF"--mean ? many thanks--:)
I am finally getting results I wanted with using theBlend If panel. Thank you Blake. However, there is an error in your panel. If you open an image and then show the History Panel and then in the Blend If panel click on Highlights On and then Highlights Off - look at the History Panel and you will see what I mean.
Suggestion: a real world reason to do blend-if is if / when you go back to the camera raw settings and tweak them, the blend-if will properly adapt while the luminosity mask would not (or you would need to recompute the mask). To me, tweaking the camera raw settings via the smart object seems much more likely than adding a curves layer -- especially since camera raw can do so much now. The funny thing is, right now, I'm the type that just lets LR do everything. I might change in the future. I grew up (circa 2001) when you had to do the masking by hand which took essentially days to tweak and adjust just to blend a single image that came from three differently exposed shots. I don't want to go back there. The other thing that is happening is the dynamic range of the sensors are getting to the point that I am merging images less and less often.
I just installed it yesterday. The best 47 bucks I ever invested. I emailed all my photographer friends and reminded them not to miss introductory offer. Thanks again, Blessings Rees.
@@The_Idea_of_Dream_Vision 1 but it's not necessarily about a genre, it's about tones and colors really every image has that so no matter what you are editing you can use it.
Great tutorial, Blake. I am thoroughly enjoying the Blend If panel; not only does it make it easy to apply Blend If, but it also helps me to better understand the dynamics of Blend If in a way that Photoshop does not. Thank you.
Fantastic video! Ties in nicely with your f64 Academy PSFoundations - Blend Modes tutorials I've been watching - great to see you use what was being taught in additional real-world examples! Really excited to dive into the Blend-If panel training and start using the panel to its fullest potential! 😃 Keep up the awesome work!!
I'm on video 6 of 16 I already got my moneys worth even if I would have paid the full price. I am on my way to start creating art for my creator. Thank You Brother, Lets go get' em.
I will ask you in the seminar. It's very difficult. It uses an RGB laser light to expose tribunal darkroom paper. Just like we us to do with an enlarge.
Hi Blake i don't have enough knowledge but i certainly do have questions :D I love the panel but Do you think it would be possible to also use blend if as a tool for better hair selections? Thank you
Then experiment 😁 I mean that in the nicest way possible. I can only do so much and I can't read your mind for your needs. Experiment for your needs, it's your turn 😉
Using blend if to blend two exposure versions is a great way. Seems like a supplemental video to the blend if course. I can make good use of this approach. Thanks for making it. And of course for the amazing blend if panel you and Tonee created.
Hi Blake, Another great video! I have almost completed your Blend-if course and am already really enjoying your panel. I highly recommend it! Thank you for sharing this video as another example of how to use your Blend-if panel. Now I just need to find images to exposure blend with this technique and submit for critique on f.64 Elite.
Hi Blake. I purchased the blend-if panel and course material shortly after you released it. You have done a great job. I am a long time luminosity mask user. Mostly because I never think to go to the blend-if slider which was hidden. Sometimes it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. I will be purposefully making an effort to use the new panel in place of luminosity masking going forward. Your new panel makes blend-if available on the main workspace page. As a result, blend-if options are always easily available and visible. That in itself is a big benefit of the new panel.
A true master class in under 20 minutes! Outstanding!
Wow, thanks! :)
Super helpful demo! And you answer the logical questions that come to mind like why not use this or that instead. Liked and subscribed, cheers from Seattle!
Awesome, thank you! Glad you found it helpful!
I just want to compliment you as I've subscribed a while back. You caught my attention with your previous discussions on the zone system. I've used the system in photography years ago and applied it to drawing and art as well. I've also had to live off of my art at various stages of my life. My point is out of all the UA-camr's out there you actually know your art and have wherewithal to use modern tools. I am looking this weekend at your tools because of your skills and depth of knowledge.
Wow! Thank you so much. This is probably the best UA-cam comment I've ever read! If you need any help deciding on things out want further clarification, feel free to email me, blake@f64academy.com
as a lifetime subscriber is this panel downloadable for free or with discount,thanks Blake love your work
If you are an Elite Member the course is in the Course catalog on f.64 Elite.
Thanks for your swift help, I'll email for correspondence.
@@profsteve7653 please email me so I can sort this out properly blake@f64academy.com
Uses gradient to create a spotlight and says "this is where BlendIf shines". I would buy all your products right this second if you did that pun on purpose. I may still buy all your products eventually.
While I wouldn't say it was scripted, I am a punny guy! 😁 But them all 🤣🤣🤣
Been going through your website...membership, and premiums...Jesus man take all my money!!!!
I've watched tons of your videos here and love what you do and now I'm just trying to figure out which ones to get first! Well obviously membership first.
Haha, thanks! I kind of love what I do for a living 😁 feel free to email me with any questions blake@f64academy.com
Very interested. Will the panel be available on multiple computers? I've just upgraded from using Gimp to Photoshop, these look like great lessons.
Yes, they will.
Blake's the Blend If King! Blake your term "dynamic masking" really sums it up. But for those of u that still love Luminosity Masks instead, here is something to try with Photoshop that gives u MUCH more flexibility than that awkward Select>Color Range pallette. I don't know if this is a known tip, but it worked GREAT for me...& much more precise to manipulate than creating luminosity masks w/Color Range (but Blend If is still one of the best of all) I'm on a PC):
1. Use the Gradient Map Adjustment Layer of the image u want for it's Highlights or Shadow masking prep. For example if u only want to apply a color shift in your shadows & want more control than using the channels in Curves & are resisting Blend If.
2. Make the points on the Gradient Map slider pure white on one end & pure black on the other. (Or temporarily use bright colors to visually play with areas that will become the mask then change back to black & white sliders.)
3. Slide the points as u watch the shadow & highlight areas in your image on a full screen & with easy to see feathering. AND the beauty is u can add 50% gray values (or any gray value) on the slider bar for even more control.
4. Merge your customized BW Gradient Map onto a copy of your image & go to the Channels & make a new Alpha channel copy of the resulting black & white image. Click on Control (on PC) to activate the "Marching Ants" so you can then use the result as a mask for whatever effect you're applying.
Blend If is still best since it is adjustable at ANY time, but I feel if you prefer Luminosity masking, creating them via The Gradient Map as described is much better with more control than Color Range. I just came up with this but maybe it was already "a Thing".
Very interesting, it seems you are an artist. could you make a little video tutorial with this?
Well, I would like to change the underlying layer to suit the output I want and I don’t want a dynamic mask (!!). That goes against the basic concept of masking.
Second, you chose a very easy exposure. Why don’t you take 5 exposures of New York City at dusk, and try how ‘blend if’ works there.
I can provide you the images if you don’t have.
I have played with both luminosity masks and blend if for years. I still think masking offers way more precision. At face value Blend If should be quicker, but I have always found luminosity masks work best for blending two different exposures seamlessly. When it comes to adjustment layers I think either work great.
I can see that. Funny thing is I used Luminosity Masks for years and find the opposite. But I think that is just because I have gone all in on Blend If. It just shows the unique qualities of techniques in Photoshop and what works best for some may not be best for others :) open mindedness is the key.
Great stuff Blake! I have a curious question that drives me nuts :) as I have goggled and cannot find the answer!! --What or why is is called "IF"--what does "IF"--mean ? many thanks--:)
Blend If is kind of a statement. Blend If the whites (or darks) are said value.
I am finally getting results I wanted with using theBlend If panel. Thank you Blake. However, there is an error in your panel. If you open an image and then show the History Panel and then in the Blend If panel click on Highlights On and then Highlights Off - look at the History Panel and you will see what I mean.
You’re really making me want to go shoot some landscapes so I can try this out.
It's in the courses section of F64 Elite 😁
@@f64Academy cool, I’ll be sure to check it out. 😎
Suggestion: a real world reason to do blend-if is if / when you go back to the camera raw settings and tweak them, the blend-if will properly adapt while the luminosity mask would not (or you would need to recompute the mask). To me, tweaking the camera raw settings via the smart object seems much more likely than adding a curves layer -- especially since camera raw can do so much now.
The funny thing is, right now, I'm the type that just lets LR do everything. I might change in the future. I grew up (circa 2001) when you had to do the masking by hand which took essentially days to tweak and adjust just to blend a single image that came from three differently exposed shots. I don't want to go back there.
The other thing that is happening is the dynamic range of the sensors are getting to the point that I am merging images less and less often.
I just installed it yesterday. The best 47 bucks I ever invested. I emailed all my photographer friends and reminded them not to miss introductory offer. Thanks again, Blessings Rees.
You're the best! Thank you so much 😁
How many portraits editing videos in the packaging? I am hoping to buy tomorrow if I get money early
@@The_Idea_of_Dream_Vision 1 but it's not necessarily about a genre, it's about tones and colors really every image has that so no matter what you are editing you can use it.
you could have HDRed them
Could have. It didn't produce bad results either. But there is a lot of advantage to doing it in Photoshop.
Great tutorial, Blake. I am thoroughly enjoying the Blend If panel; not only does it make it easy to apply Blend If, but it also helps me to better understand the dynamics of Blend If in a way that Photoshop does not. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! That's also very true. With it in the forefront you have so many more possibilities that can otherwise be forgotten.
Fantastic video! Ties in nicely with your f64 Academy PSFoundations - Blend Modes tutorials I've been watching - great to see you use what was being taught in additional real-world examples! Really excited to dive into the Blend-If panel training and start using the panel to its fullest potential! 😃 Keep up the awesome work!!
Awesome, thank you Greg! I'll keep on going! I love this stuff :) I appreciate your support.
Blake, I did buy this course with the panel to use the blend if features easier to use. THANKS ❣️❣️❣️ I have learned so much from your tutorials !
Thank you so much for your support! 😁
I'm on video 6 of 16 I already got my moneys worth even if I would have paid the full price. I am on my way to start creating art for my creator. Thank You Brother, Lets go get' em.
Yes! That's awesome to hear :) You will love the rest!
how do you sharpen for silver highlide printing prints verses ink jet prints. video 8 , same way?
Sure. I guess. I mean I sharpen the same way for every print really. Unless there is something very different about that type of print.
I will ask you in the seminar. It's very difficult. It uses an RGB laser light to expose tribunal darkroom paper. Just like we us to do with an enlarge.
Hi Blake i don't have enough knowledge but i certainly do have questions :D
I love the panel but Do you think it would be possible to also use blend if as a tool for better hair selections?
Thank you
Maybe? Experiment! It's your turn 😉
Thank you Blake I’d like to see more the blend if for some finesse into some parts and exclude some others …
Then experiment 😁 I mean that in the nicest way possible. I can only do so much and I can't read your mind for your needs. Experiment for your needs, it's your turn 😉
Using blend if to blend two exposure versions is a great way. Seems like a supplemental video to the blend if course. I can make good use of this approach. Thanks for making it. And of course for the amazing blend if panel you and Tonee created.
Totally agree! Thanks, Phil! You are the man!
I’m a luminosity guy, but this was definitely interesting! Great video
Glad you enjoyed it! I used them exclusively until I started using Blend If more in my workflow. Either method is great!
Is it still possible to get the course for an introductory price of $47?
yep, here's the link: f64elite.com/blend-if-yt/
Phenomenal! Your new name is officially Blend-if Blake!
Haha! I love it!
Hi Blake, Another great video! I have almost completed your Blend-if course and am already really enjoying your panel. I highly recommend it! Thank you for sharing this video as another example of how to use your Blend-if panel. Now I just need to find images to exposure blend with this technique and submit for critique on f.64 Elite.
Hi Blake. I purchased the blend-if panel and course material shortly after you released it. You have done a great job. I am a long time luminosity mask user. Mostly because I never think to go to the blend-if slider which was hidden. Sometimes it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. I will be purposefully making an effort to use the new panel in place of luminosity masking going forward. Your new panel makes blend-if available on the main workspace page. As a result, blend-if options are always easily available and visible. That in itself is a big benefit of the new panel.
Getting more and more a fan of PS, sh*t load of commands to learn though 😁 great video !
🤣 ain't that the truth! You'll get them 😁 they are definitely worth knowing! Maybe a video is in order for the "hotkeys you need to know in Photoshop"
@@f64AcademyThat could be something 👍👌
Very informative..thanks
Great tutorial..
Thanks 😁
Wow! Who knew?
😁
Muchas gracias.
De nada!