Time-Blending Photography: Combine Photos from Different Times of Day

Time-Blending Photography: Combine Photos from Different Times of Day

Empty streets and dark buildings can ruin an otherwise perfect sunset shot. Time-blending photography solves this problem by combining the best elements from different times of day — the vibrant sky from golden hour with the dynamic light trails from nighttime traffic.

This technique transforms static daytime or sunset scenes into dramatic compositions filled with motion and light. The process involves capturing multiple exposures from the same position and blending them seamlessly in Photoshop.

Time-Blending Photography Tutorial

Video by Christian Möhrle - The Phlog Photography. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips for Time-Blending Photography

  • Use a sturdy tripod and avoid moving the camera between shots for perfect alignment
  • Shoot the base image during golden hour with f/16 and low ISO for darker foreground exposure
  • Wait until complete darkness for light captures to ensure pitch-black backgrounds
  • Take multiple 30-second exposures of traffic to create dense, flowing light trails
  • Use Adobe Landscape profile in Camera Raw to enhance base saturation before blending

More Tutorials about Photo Blending Techniques

Explore additional methods for combining multiple images into compelling compositions.

How to combine and blend photos in Photoshop
Transforming ordinary photographs into extraordinary visual narratives often involves combining and blending multiple images. This technique allows creators to merge distinct elements, create surreal scenes, or enhance compositions by integrating textures and atmospheric effects. Mastering these methods unlocks a powerful dimension of digital artistry, enabling you to craft images that captivate and tell a richer story. This tutorial explores various techniques for seamlessly integrating differ
How to combine and blend photos in Photoshop
Creating captivating photo composites involves seamlessly bringing different elements together. Mastering the art of combining and blending images allows you to expand your creative possibilities, whether you are crafting surreal landscapes or integrating subjects into new environments. This guide provides a foundational understanding of how to merge multiple photos into a single canvas and then blend them naturally within Photoshop. You will explore various techniques for combining images and
Create amazing surreal photo manipulations in Photoshop
Have you ever seen images online that seem to defy reality? Professional retouchers have mastered techniques to seamlessly combine different elements into surreal composite images. However, their methods have largely remained secrets known only to a select few experts. Now, in these unique Photoshop tutorials, some of the world's best retouchers are finally revealing their processes. Across multiple in-depth videos, the pro retouchers deconstruct their entire workflows step by step. You'll lear
How to Blend Two Photos in Photoshop
In this Photoshop tutorial, the author Arunz Creations shows how to blend two photos together. The process involves merging a photo of clouds with a portrait using blending modes. The instructions are straightforward and easy to follow. First, the user opens both photos in Photoshop. Then, they select the cloud photo and copy it to the same layer as the portrait. Next, they adjust the blending mode to achieve the desired effect, experimenting with different options until they find the perfect b

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

Basic Photoshop techniques you really need to learn

Photoshop hasn’t changed as much as it looks. New features come and go, but the same core techniques keep showing up in real work. If you skip them, everything feels harder than it should. This post focuses on those basics, not as isolated tricks, but as skills you’ll...

How to Use Select Subject for Background Removal and Edge Refinement

Background removal becomes effortless when you know how to use the right tools. AI-powered selection can instantly isolate subjects from their backgrounds, but the real skill lies in refining those selections to create professional results. This guide covers the complete workflow from initial selection to edge refinement, plus creative techniques...

How to Wrap Text Around Any Shape in Photoshop

Creating text that flows naturally around irregular shapes transforms static layouts into dynamic, professional designs. This technique works particularly well for posters, magazine layouts, and editorial designs where text needs to integrate seamlessly with complex subjects rather than simply sitting in rigid rectangular boxes. The process combines selection tools, path...

How to Edit Text in Images Using Generative Fill

Changing text within existing images has traditionally required complex masking and reconstruction techniques. Modern AI-powered tools now make it possible to seamlessly replace words and phrases in photographs while maintaining realistic typography, lighting, and perspective that matches the original scene. This technique works particularly well for signs, storefronts, billboards, and...

How to Remove Dust and Sensor Spots Using Photoshop Tools

Dust spots and sensor particles are inevitable challenges in digital photography, appearing as dark specks that distract from otherwise clean images. Camera sensors collect dust over time, creating consistent spots that show up across multiple photos, particularly in bright sky areas or uniform backgrounds. Both Lightroom and Photoshop offer specialized...

Photoshop vs Affinity Photo: Feature Comparison and Professional Analysis

When choosing professional photo editing software, the decision often comes down to comparing features, performance, and value. This detailed comparison examines the core capabilities of both applications across noise reduction, smart selections, object removal, masking, and AI-powered tools. The analysis covers real-world scenarios that professionals encounter daily, from complex background...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.