Multiple Exposure Simulation

**bnbfoto** · 4 Feb 2009, 12:21 pm

Back in the old film days, some images I wanted to create required that my camera support a multiple exposure feature, two images on the same frame, or I had to request that from a lab.

I know I could go into Photoshop and accomplish the same but since I do not need all the power, and cost, of Photoshop, I would like to have that in LR. If there is a way to achieve what I am trying to do in LR2, I have not found it. If anyone knows how to do it, please let me know.

Thanks

**Denis Pagé** · 4 Feb 2009, 12:28 pm

Welcome to the forums Walt!

What Photoshop Lightroom can do is to take two or more images and send them to Photoshop CSx to be HDR processed. But for this to work, you still need Photoshop CSx.

**bnbfoto** · 4 Feb 2009, 2:06 pm

Thanks for the reply and the welcome

CSx HDR, as I understand it from reading, does not take two different photos and allow them to be superimposed. HDR processes identical photos with different exposure ranges and creates a High Dynamic Range image factoring in the high and lows. Maybe I do not understand the full features of HDR.

What I am looking for specifically, is to take an image that has been processed and another cropped processed image, place the cropped image on top of the other image and blend them. From reading about PS, it seems to have that power, but I really do not want to spend the $$ for that one feature.

Thanks

**Denis Pagé** · 4 Feb 2009, 2:09 pm

Sorry. It is out of Lightroom's reach at the moment...

**Brad Snyder** · 4 Feb 2009, 2:15 pm

Walt, Denis was answering both the question you asked, and another unasked question. (Ooops, I see he followed up while I was typing)

No, Lr, cannot do the multiple-exposure unaided. It is however designed to send multiple photos to other applications, (one of which is PSx) for purposes which include HDR, panorama stitching, and layering. Layering would address your need.

Yes, PS is quite expensive. There are other less expensive, or free programs, Paintshop Pro, and the GIMP come to mind, which can handle that task.

Here's a link to a thread which popped up when I googled 'photoediting with layers'.

It lists several suggestions for lowcost/free programs which would seem likely to meet your needs on a first reading.