How to edit split raw exposures

Blend your shots in three easy steps to maximise detail in your image

1 Edit and sync

Edit the raw foreground image in Lightroom, then hold down Shift and click on the sky exposure so both are selected. Next, click the Sync button, choose Check All and click OK. Make any individual adjustments to exposure in either shot before selecting both again. Right-click on the highlight images and select Edit In > Open As Layers In Photoshop.

2 Align the images

When the images load as layers in Photoshop, the top layer will be active, so hold down Shift and click on the bottom image so that both are selected. Next, go to Edit > Auto-Align Layers, leave Projection set to Auto and click OK. There may be space around one or both images, so you’ll need to crop the edges of the image, with the Crop Tool set to Original Ratio.

3 Mask together

Select only the top layer, which will be the foreground image if this was shot first, then click on the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel. Set the foreground and background colours to black and white by pressing D; toggle between the two by pressing X. Use a soft-edged brush with black in the foreground to reveal the sky layer. Paint white to hide it.