* upper seletar *
Hi Billy,
Guess I owe you this, please refer below on the steps on how the manual blending is carried out.
1. Open the different exposure images (for this case, I open X3 image with Ev +/-1) in Photoshop
2. Then, using Move Tool (V) from the tool pallette, I move the EV0 (middle) onto EV+1 (darkest) to make a new layer with holding down (Shift) to ensure the layers automatically line up.
3. Repeat above step with EV-1 (ligthtest). Meaning you will have 3 layers stacked together.
4. If you are not using a tripod during shooting, manual align the image with clicking Ctrl + T (free transform) and align accordingly. You may need to click off and on the 'eye' to check on the alignment.
5. Select EV-1, create a Layer Mask by clicking Add Vector Mask button in the Layers Palette. Repeat the same step to EV0 except for EV+1.
6. Select EV-1 Layer and highlight the Layer Mask thumbnail. Use the Brush tool to paint over the sky section, which effectively erase that part of the Layer. I had painted right above the horizon with Opacity 100%.
7. Then, I highlight on EV0 image and perform the same painting as Step 6 with Opacity of 100% stopping right on the horizon. Then, reducing opacity to 30%, I continue painting till 1/3 below the horizon. (this is to have a smoother transition between the lightest image to the darkest image.
8. Once you are happy with the 'erasing' part of the image (EV-1 and EV0); hightlight on all 3 image and Flatten it.
9. To finish up, I perform a little touch up on the Curve, Vibrance and USM to enhance the image a little.
10. Convert to 8bit/channel and save as Jpeg.
I hope you are clear with the steps describe above and perhaps; I will try to print screen the Brushing done in PS for more understanding...do let me know if you need it, ok?
Hope it helps...cheers and good day!