Composting in Photoshop Elements

[abundant108]

I am trying to combine an underexposed and overexposed image to expand the tonal range of the resulting file. All techniques I have read call for layer masking; is this possible in Photoshop Elements 3?

Thanks.

Dale

[goofup]

Yes and no.

No, Elements doesn't have masks.

Yes, masks (and curves) can be added for free from either of these places:
http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/Files.html
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~pshipley/

[road_runner]

Try using your Over exposed image as the Background image. Open a New Layer; then copy and paste the under exposed image to the new layer. Click on the eye of the Background layer to keep it from showing through. That way you will be able to see how the eraser tool is working. Now use the eraser tool on the parts of the top layer you think need improving. You can adjust the Opacity adjustment to vary the affect. Then Click on the background so that you can use levels adjustment to increase or decrease the amount you want to show through.

This is similar to using a duplicate layer when you want to treat parts of the image differently. i.e. some parts might need burning and some may need dodging.

Good luck in your quest.