The Brenizer Method, AKA: Bokehrama, AKA: Photostitch

Hello Students,

Your new assignment is to create an example of the Brenizer Process, also called Bokehrama. This hands on lesson will introduce and guide students in the process of creating a panoramic stitch to mimic a large format image. Popularized by Ryan Brenizer, it has become a popular method for portrait, auto and wedding photography. This process uses standard equipment to replicate the large format look, this is a great project for creating compelling and creative portraits that won't break the bank!

This image was created with over 40 different exposures and combined with Photomerge, cropped and processed for the final result. Photo credit: Seth Wilson, 2017

The "Brenizer Method" Seamless Photo Stitch:
The Brenizer Method is named after Ryan Brenizer, a wedding photographer who invented the method, uses it in his wedding photography and teaches it to others as well. The advantages to this method is it produces a very high resolution images, essentially mimics a lens that has an f-stop of 1 and produces great bokeh. The process to create a successful Bokehrama image is in 2 parts, capturing and processing. Read the detailed instructions below before attempting to create your own.

This image shows the Brenizer process qualities we are looking for. Wide angle with very narrow depth of field. Photo credit: Sofia Brumbaugh 2017

Camera Capture Process:

• Use a DSLR or similar camera with exposure control.
• Find an environment with elements that will show depth with detail along the fore, mid and backplane. This will show off the method best.
• Stand in one place and dial in your camera exposure, then lock it down, including white balance.
• Set your lens/aperture to it's widest setting for the shallowest depth of field
• Focus on your subject/center area, use autofocus to dial it in, then switch to manual. You don't want the camera to c
• oks good your ready for photoshop!
• hange focus between shots
• Frame your subject and take some test shots, make sure the light is good and the subject is framed tightly, if not move yourself forward or backward to frame your subject/area
• Take your photo framing your subject in the center.
• Move slightly to the right and take an overlapping shot, keeping the camera steady, continue shooting in a grid pattern to the left, top, bottom, bottom right, bottom left, etc. 
• Make sure each shot overlaps with the previous for blending.
• Up to 40 exposures can be used for a large image. More is better so you can crop the best area after combining.
• Review your shots and make sure each one overlaps and the exposures aren't changing between shots, if it looks good you are ready for Photoshop

Photo Stitching Process in Photoshop:

• Move all of your exposures from the camera and copy them to your computer and place them in a new project folder.
• Launch Photoshop and go File > Automate > Photomerge
• Click the Browse button and navigate to your folder of images, use Command-Shift to select all of your images at once and load them into Photomerge. Alternatively you could use Command-A for Select all.
• Click OK to start the process. Photomerge may take up to 30 minutes or longer depending on the size and number of photos you are combining. The processing speed of your computer also affects the speed of this process, allow appropriate time for the computer to complete it's work.
• If your Photomerge is successful, you will see your finished and combined image.
• Crop your photo, use the Crop Tool in the Toolbar. Hold Command while you click-drag with the Crop Tool to create a perfectly square crop.
• Save your image to your folder as a Photoshop file.
• Use your Photoshop skills to modify your image as desired for creative results and make it cool!

Tutorial 1: Brenizer Method Tutorial
Tutorial 2: 5 Steps to the Brenizer Method
Link: The Brenizer Method Page
Link: Brenizer Method used for pet portrait photography

The photo stitching process can also be used to create amazing panorama images. Photo credit: Eva Lu 2017

This photo stitch of the Tilden Park Carousel facade was created with over 50 images and combined by hand in Adobe Photoshop. Photo credit: Seth Wilson, 2016

Have fun!

  - Mr.W

Double and Multiple Exposure Photography

Hello Students,
For this project you will be exercising two artistic photography/editing techniques, double exposure and multiple exposure.

With multiple exposure photography you may literally be beside yourself! ( I AM SO FUNNY! )

Assignment Requirements:

• Create 2 double exposure images or portraits, must utilize juxtaposition as the driving concept in the choice of images you are combining
• Create 1 multiple exposure image or portrait. Must contain at least 4 exposures/images combined into 1. Turn in all images used plus final combined image.

Double Exposure Photo Shoot Project Process:

Your new assignment is to shoot 4 exposures that can be combined into 2 double exposure images with Photoshop. Work in pairs or groups, with each taking turns to shoot portraits and other images for superimposing.

Utilize the concept of juxtaposition to drive your work. Simply stated, juxtaposition means things side-by-side. In art this usually is done with the intention of bringing out a specific quality or creating an effect, particularly when two contrasting or opposing elements are used. Light and dark, smooth and textured, shapes and details, etc.

Tips for success:

-       Look for images in your environment that will combine well as juxtapositions

-       Consider the content of the images as well as the light and dark areas and how they will appear when combined

-       Shoot a few "A" images (portraits, animals, statues, etc) and shoot a few "B" images (backgrounds, architecture, textural surfaces, lines and patterns, etc) so you have good choices for finding a combination that works. You may use previously shot images for this project if desired.

Instructions:

-       Work with a partner or a group to explore campus and take your photos following the guidelines above.

-       Make sure that each person in the group takes turns shooting photos so each person can turn in unique work

-       When complete return to class and download/share the images onto to each students computer for editing

-       Put them into a single folder on your computer. label the folder with a self explanatory file name such as "Double Exposure"

-       Launch Adobe Photoshop and open the Open the first image, then drag-and-drop the second image onto the first from it's folder, you may double click in your document to complete the layering. If your Layer Palette is open, you will see both images stacked. Show students how you toggle the layers on and off with the eyeball icon next to demonstrate

-       Adjust the Opacity slider in the Layer Palette until you find a good setting to blend your two images.

-       Additionally you can also scale/move/distort a layer for effect if desired

-       Use the "Save for Web and Devices" feature under the Edit menu to export a JPG of your combined image. Save as a JPG or PNG24 with a self-explanatory file name such as "firstname_doubleexposure.jpg"

-       Turn in you final 2 images and post to the group when complete. Title the images "Double Exposure"

Multiple Exposure Photo Shoot Project Process: 

Overview:

In this multiple exposure project students will use their own cameras with a tripod to create their own multi-self portraits. Students may work in groups or pairs but each student should turn in unique work.

Your new assignment is to shoot 4 or more exposures that can be combined with Photoshop seamlessly in the form of a multi-self portrait.

• You will produce 1 final image for this project of 4 or more exposures that have been combined in Photoshop in a seamless fashion (no obvious edges, errors or transparencies)

 • The exposure settings on the camera must be locked down so no there are no light/dark changes between shots. Meter for your scene with the auto feature, write down the shutter speed, iso and aperture... then switch to manual mode and enter those values. Watch out for changes in natural light (clouds, etc)

 • Make sure white balance is set appropriately and not on auto. Any changes between exposures can ruin the final edit, even clouds passing over head can change the light across your different exposures.

 • Camera must be locked down on a tripod with no movement between shots.

 • Capture 4 or more exposures of the same person in one scene, in different positions and placement. Be aware that overlapping areas are difficult to edit.
• Turn in you final image and post to the group when complete. Title the image "Multiple Exposure"

What is Double Exposure?

Double exposure with a traditional film camera involved exposing 2 different images to 1 piece of film. The effect creates an overlay of 2 images into 1, the areas of dark and light combine. With digital camera's we can take 2 different photos and combine them into 1 by using Photoshop's layers. See examples below:

Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, double exposure made using a film camera, 1980 by Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons 

Double exposure made using a film camera

This example is created in camera with a carefully planned process. Photo Credit:Dan Mountford

Photo Credit:Dan Mountford

What is Multiple Exposure?

Multiple exposure is when a camera is timed to take an exposure at different intervals of time, creating a series of images into 1 image. With a digital camera we can take multiple images and combine them with photoshops layers and some clever use of the Eraser Tool. See examples below:

A multiple exposure image created with photoshop

A multiple exposure composite image of a lunar eclipse taken over Hayward, California in 2004.

Student Work Samples: Double and Multiple Exposures