Step BY step editing guide photoshop It!

Learn how to quickly combine multiple bubble images using layers and blending modes

01 BATCH Process raw images

Once happy with our shots, we need to combine the images in Photoshop. First we batch processed our 36 Raw images in Photoshop CC (we reduced Blacks to get the background dark, and boosted Contrast for the bubbles) and then output them as JPEGS.

02 load The images into layers

From Bridge, instead of opening all the images in Photoshop and cutting and pasting them to make layer upon layer, just highlight all images, go to Tools>photoshop>load Files into Photoshop Layers and Photoshop will create one image with layers.

03 reveal all The Bubbles

When Photoshop has sorted all the layers, simply highlight all the layers in the layers palette (shift and click, scrolling down to the last layer) and select Lighten from the blending mode drop-down menu to reveal all the bubbles in each layer. Awesome!

04 move and adjust Bubbles

You may discover that each layer of bubbles isn’t in the perfect place for the best composition. No bother, just highlight a layer and use the Move tool to shunt bubbles around. We also used the Free Transform tool to adjust bubble sizes and move them to better spots.

05 inject some Colour

To add some colour we used the Hue/saturation slider to change the colours of the some of larger bubbles. If any bubbles are too distracting, delete them or highlight their layer and reduce the Opacity at the top of the layer palette to 60-70% to darken them.

06 Final Touches To Finish

We saved a JPEG image (which flattens the image into one layer) and boosted the overall image in Photoshop using Curves. By creating a strong S-curve we were able to darken the black background and lift the bubbles for a high-contrast shot with great impact.