rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

I often will use photoshop contact sheet tool to combine multiple snapshots into a single image. An example is attached. I make sure that the source images get common exposure settings and common post processing before the merge including identical image sizes after any cropping. I also size the contact sheet at the exact total pixel size of the combined source photo dimensions (per number of rows and columns selected). Is this something that others use as well?

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rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

Here's a version that took a little more work. I setup a template with three rectangle shape layers aligned to cover the 3 source images in the contact sheet. I then added the original three shots as additional layers i photoshop and used the 3 rectangle shape layers as clipping masks for the corresponding source image. Then, transposed/resized each of the three shots. In this version, I was better able to align the images (e.g., the pool edges match horizontally across the three images)

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice. Good idea.

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

The second was definitely better than the first IMBO.

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

thanks to all for the feedback. Clearly, the added effort to create the second version made for a much better image. Still wondering what post processing techniques that others might use to illustrate a motion sequence. Maybe I'll experiment with image overlays and post results.

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

Here's another attempt. In the three source images, the background is the same and there is no overlap in between the jumping child between any of the images. So, I was able to put align the backgrounds of all three images in separate layers and created a mask for the two top layers. Then, I simply painted on the masks with black over the background and white over the jumper. I also cropped it for improved composition. I like it better than the other versions. However, wish I took shots from a slightly different position to keep the ladder from being in the heart of the scene. It overlaps the jumper's first position making it fairly difficult to remove. A lesson for future shoots.

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sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Well done, rfcoakley!