How to Transform Busy Scenes into Stunning Images

Holiday lights and festive displays offer a unique opportunity for creative image-making. Capturing them in busy public spaces, though, can present challenges with crowds and distracting elements. By using advanced techniques like stacking multiple exposures and editing in Photoshop, you can achieve clean, polished results while preserving the vibrancy of the scene.

Coming to you from Jamie R Mathlin, this practical video showcases how to handle a challenging composition in a busy holiday setting. Mathlin starts with a handheld series of 30 images taken outside a decorated department store. By stacking exposures and averaging them in Photoshop, he eliminates moving people from the final image. This method is particularly effective for public spaces where consistent framing is crucial, and Mathlin demonstrates how Lightroom and Photoshop’s tools simplify the alignment and blending process.

Mathlin also explores creative ways to enhance the scene using radial and linear gradient masks in Lightroom. By selectively adjusting exposure, shadows, and clarity, he brings attention to specific details, such as lights and architectural features. These techniques help refine the composition and add depth, transforming the image from a simple snapshot to a striking holiday display. His emphasis on controlling color balance and saturation further enhances the final image’s mood without overwhelming the viewer.

The video takes you through each step in Photoshop, including how to use generative fill to remove distracting elements like signs and vehicles. Mathlin compares generative fill to other tools like the patch tool and explains when to use each for optimal results. He also addresses finer details, such as managing halos and color inconsistencies around edited areas. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Mathlin.