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Most of my images go through ON1 Effects during my editing workflow. I’m adding style with filters like Dynamic Contrast or applying Color Adjustments. Did you know that the ON1 Effects plugin also supports layers? When I have a couple of images to blend into a single composite, I’ll send them into Effects and do my layer blending there. Then when my composite is done I’m ready to add style and finish the editing.

Step 1 - Select The Images and Open As Layers

From host programs like Lightroom, select the images to open and use the Open As Layers option for the ON1 Effects plugin. The selected images are combined into a single photo document (like a Smart PSD) and each individual photo is put on its own layer.

Step 2 - Rename The Layers

In the Layers pane in Effects, double-click on each layer and give it a descriptive name. I do this to avoid getting confused about what elements I want to incorporate from each image layer. In this example, I opened two images as layers. I want the Sky from one image layer and the Ocean from the other.

Step 3 - Blend With Layer Masks

Next, add a layer mask to hide unwanted elements on the top layer and reveal elements from the bottom layer. In this example, I use a gradient mask to hide the sky from the top layer, revealing my preferred sky on the bottom layer. The ocean and foreground on the top layer remain visible.

Because I captured both images moments apart using a tripod, I do not need to worry about image alignment.

Go Further!

Do you have a more complex composite to do? Leverage the layer blending modes to help. Watch the video to see how I duplicated a layer and used the Darken blending mode to re-add the fisherman into the scene.