Thanks for the comments George and Roy, which are always appreciated.

Steve

George I see what you mean, 3-7 were exposure blends based on a images developed using a standard set of Silkypix parameters. I normally use the 'natural fine' setting for sharpening and can only think that by leaving this on prior to blending in Photomatrix I have created this over sharpening effect.
I rather rushed the pp with these, and will know better next time.

Below are 4 and 7 with the same set of Silkypix parameters but no exposure blending

4.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/cadiz18.jpg[/IMG]

7.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/cadiz19.jpg[/IMG]


I checked out you tweaked version in the gallery and agree it is an improvement. I am happy for it to remain there if you are?

Thanks - Steve

More shots taken during our recent holiday in Spain.
These were all taken from the Torre de Poniente Tower in the city's cathedral.

1.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/cadiz2.jpg[/IMG]

2.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/cadiz6.jpg[/IMG]

3.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Cadiz14.jpg[/IMG]

4.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Cadiz17.jpg[/IMG]

5.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Cadiz15.jpg[/IMG]

6.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/cadiz13.jpg[/IMG]

7.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Cadiz16.jpg[/IMG]

C&C welcome - Steve

Ok here is a 7 exposure blend, pushed/pulled +/- 2.5 stops form original exposure. Default settings out of Photomatrix, cropped and sharpened a little in CS3. Apologies for the large file size but I saw little point in reducing quality as we are comparing to shot 3 above.

[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/7exblend.jpg[/IMG]

This has been an interesting excercise.

C&C welcome - Steve

Thanks for the feedback Peter, I agree there is certainly more detail in the shadows. I will have a go at a 5 exposure blend later.

Steve

Thanks for the feedback Peter, at your suggestion I have tried Exposure blending for 3 'alley shots'. No real experience with the program so I just accepted default settings. I started a new thread since to avoid long download times

Steve

As suggested by Mannesty in the More Shots From Seville thread, I used Photomatrix to blend 3 exposures. I have no expertise with the software, so I accepted default settings.

C&C welcome - Steve

1.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev5blenda.jpg[/IMG]

2.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/sev11blenda.jpg[/IMG]

3.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/sev3blenda.jpg[/IMG]

No great works of art, just a photographic record of our recent holiday.

1.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev6.jpg[/IMG]

2.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev2.jpg[/IMG]

3.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev4.jpg[/IMG]

4.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev1.jpg[/IMG]

5.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev3.jpg[/IMG]

6.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev5.jpg[/IMG]

7.
[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/Sev9.jpg[/IMG]

C&C welcome - Steve

Additional shot added to provide a sense of scale.

[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/pde12.jpg[/IMG]

Steve

Here is my attempt

Method
1. Create duplicate layer
2. Select the copied layer
3. Make a selection around the bride
4. Feather edges 5-10 radius
5. Inverse the selection
6. Apply Gaussian blur. I went all the way up to 25
7. Select Normal blending mode and move opacity slider to taste
8. Flatten layers
9. Adjust using levels to taste

[IMG]http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa184/stevejcoe/_IGP5034a.jpg[/IMG]