Solar Eclipse Editing- August 21, 2017: I started researching this many months ago. I bought a new tripod, made a solar filter, rented a house on top of a Mountain that has had the top...

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

I started researching this many months ago. I bought a new tripod, made a solar filter, rented a house on top of a Mountain that has had the top flattened into a large open field with only one tree. Right in the middle of the best viewing area and a 360 degree viewing which is overkill.

Now I am planning for the editing part. I want to stitch or stack the sequential shots into one photo showing the beginning through the end of the eclipse in one photograph. This is my weakness. I have owned cameras for over 40 years but only became serious about a year ago. I am just starting to get into editing. I am a novice at best. I have began by using Photoshop Elements 15 and really don't want to get into Photoshop and Lightroom.

Does anyone have suggestions of a particular software or process for doing this without the annual membership in Photoshop and LR?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Lowrider wrote:

I started researching this many months ago. I boug... (show quote)

You have gone through a lot of expense to date. You are now balking at paying less than $10.00 a month.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lowrider wrote:

I started researching this many months ago. I boug... (show quote)

Considering all the preparations you've made so far, I would recommend using more than one camera, maybe with different settings. I know you said you've done research, but here are millions of links about editing solar editing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=editing+solar+eclipse+photos&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=editing+solar+eclipse+photos&aqs=chrome..69i57.6895j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

Thanks Mary Kate that was very helpful. It is people like you that cause a lot of people not to ask for any advice. BTW, it isn't the costs, obviously, it is the fact that I simply don't want to get that involved in the whole process. I take photos for my own enjoyment not so I can spend hours on end editing pictures I should have done a better job taking in the beginning.

Jerry, thanks for the link. Can you tell me which one of those sites actually addresses my question? I am simply looking for a way to stack multiple images onto one single picture. I think it is called stitching or stacking. A series of pictures of the progression of the eclipse on one single photograph.

Again, thanks for your help. Unfortunately I know very little about editing.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You might want to check out:
Light Zone - http://lightzoneproject.org

If you use a Mac:
Phocus - http://www.hasselblad.com/software/phocus

Both are free.
--Bob

Lowrider wrote:

I started researching this many months ago. I boug... (show quote)

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Lowrider wrote:

Thanks Mary Kate that was very helpful. It is peop... (show quote)

You got advice. You wanted someone to hold your hand.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Lowrider wrote:

I started researching this many months ago. I boug... (show quote)

Google photo stacking. Plenty of free programs.
But there's a lot more involved with stacking an eclipse.

PS, did your mountain come with a "No clouds" guarantee?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lowrider wrote:

Jerry, thanks for the link. Can you tell me which one of those sites actually addresses my question? I am simply looking for a way to stack multiple images onto one single picture. I think it is called stitching or stacking. A series of pictures of the progression of the eclipse on one single photograph.

This one looks good.
https://petapixel.com/2016/06/28/create-stacked-photo-moon/

Or maybe something like multiplicity?
https://digital-photography-school.com/special-effect-how-to-create-multiple-flash-exposures-in-a-single-frame/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3spT03p0XAQ
https://mcpactions.com/2014/02/24/multiplicity-image/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCDuygVrU4g

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

jerryc41 wrote:

This one looks good.
https://petapixel.com/2016/06/28/create-stacked-photo-moon/

Or maybe something like multiplicity?
https://digital-photography-school.com/special-effect-how-to-create-multiple-flash-exposures-in-a-single-frame/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3spT03p0XAQ
https://mcpactions.com/2014/02/24/multiplicity-image/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCDuygVrU4g

You give him the sites that could help him, yet he doesn't want to do his on his own.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mary Kate, even the most casual observer might conclude that you possess a very abrasive attitude. Is this something you developed instead of a personality? Am I correct in this observation?
--Bob

Mary Kate wrote:

You give him the sites that could help him, yet he doesn't want to do his on his own.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

rmalarz wrote:

Mary Kate, even the most casual observer might conclude that you possess a very abrasive attitude. Is this something you developed instead of a personality? Am I correct in this observation?
--Bob

Yeah, I really care what you think. I only hope I can carry on. Dear boy, why would you think or be so naive as to think; that I would care what you have to say? You think my attitude is abrasive? Is that based on my response to this guy Jerry having given this other guy all the links that would help him with his problem and then he would not check them out for himself he again asked Jerry what site should he go to? If saying something about his lack of involvement makes me abrasive so be it.

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

Really Mary Kate?? I admitted that I know nothing about editing and I was just getting back into photography and only joined this forum a month or so ago. Jerry had just googled the subject and sent me the results. I had already done that several times. The results did not address my issue yet I was thankful to Jerry because he was sincerely trying to help. I thought that one of the purposes of this forum was to get help. One of the major complaints is that people ask questions and don't supply enough information and I tried to meet that requirement as well. I know there are some very technical and competent people on this site with a lot more experience than I have. Yes I was looking for a short cut but also a guide in the right direction. I have spent many hours doing research and I just could not make sense of the issue.

I won't let your attitude deter me but it sure isn't helpful. And I was raised that if you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything.

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

Thanks for he second reply Jerry and thanks rmalarz for the link. That looks very interesting and it is starting to look like I might have to get a lot more involved than I thought...which could be a good thing!

30 minutes later...Thanks to Jerry's last post, I was able to find exactly what I was looking for, at least for people that use Photoshop, which gives me hope. Not being familiar yet with Photoshop or editing it looks quite complicated involving a large number of steps. I think it is now time for me to make a commitment... Anyway, for those of you with an interest and utilizing Photoshop... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNvTvr1fYvQ

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Lowrider wrote:

Really Mary Kate?? I admitted that I know nothing ... (show quote)

Cute. I was raised that you seek information and act. Not travel the road having my hand held all the time. You were given good information by people who know what they are talking about. Instead of gleaming through the sites and do your own research. You wanted them or him to spoon feed you. I hope you get the information you seek. I hope you get great pictures. I hope there is not a cloud in the sky. Have a good day.

tracs101 Loc: Huntington NY

rmalarz wrote:

Mary Kate, even the most casual observer might conclude that you possess a very abrasive attitude. Is this something you developed instead of a personality? Am I correct in this observation?
--Bob

Ditto.