How can I create a stacked action sequence image from multiple exposures?
Asked 5/20/2011
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I want to make a single image that shows a moving subject several times across a mostly static background, like a sequence shot. I'm looking for both shooting and post-processing advice.
What should I do when capturing the frames? For example, should I use manual exposure and locked focus for every shot? Is a tripod required, or can this work handheld while panning? How much overlap between subject positions is ideal?
I'm also interested in workflow recommendations for combining the images afterward. Can this be done effectively with Photoshop layer alignment/masking, and would panorama software like Hugin help when the framing shifts slightly between shots?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Everything that applies to shooting a panorama applies to shooting one of these. A tripod makes assembling more convenient but means you can't pan to follow the action. It's important to rotate the camera and not move your feet in order to make sure the shots line up. Locking the focus is going to be necessary. Same with shutter/aperture.
I've only done one of these, it could have been shot on a tripod but the location didn't allow it! I loaded the images in Photoshop, auto-aligned and then manually masked the overlap areas, this was quite easy as the frames are just the right distance apart to minimise overlap. A bit of overlap adds to the effect, too much can make it hard to see what going on.
Here are the original shots:
Photoshop's built in panorama tool has no trouble aligning the images:
A drop shadow has been added to show where the edges are. As you can see there was a little panning. I did not shoot the images but I did the post production (and modelling :) the actual photos were taken by a friend of mine. Here are the images blended together:
Here are the masks used:
I did a bit more blending, rotated the image, and filled in some missing sky/foreground and adjusted the contrast slightly, here is the final image:
The camera settings were 1/800s f/8.0 ISO200 22mm
I would be possible to automate the process of overlapping the subject by subtracting the common background areas and layering up the frames in chronological order.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
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Yes—treat it much like shooting a panorama. Keep exposure settings consistent across frames (manual shutter/aperture) and lock focus so the images match. A tripod can make alignment easier, but it isn’t required; handheld can work, especially if you pan smoothly. If possible, rotate the camera rather than changing your position, which helps the frames line up better.
When shooting, try to space the subject positions so there’s only a little overlap. Some overlap can look good, but too much makes the sequence hard to read.
For post-processing, a common method is to load the images as layers in Photoshop, use auto-align, then mask each frame so only the subject from each exposure shows. Panorama tools can also work well: Hugin was specifically mentioned as being effective for handheld shots because it can correct small shifts/rotations and even minor exposure differences.
There’s also an in-camera alternative: if you have a flash with stroboscopic mode, you can capture multiple positions during one long exposure. That’s simpler in post, but it generally requires a dark scene or very low ambient light.
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