Image Overlay, useful or not

[3dpan]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

 

[martinhb]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

It can be used to create artistic images by combining multiple exposures. If used with a tripod it might be possible to combine images together to reduce noise. In general an added feature for those who wish to generate alternate artistic photographic effects.

Best to try it out & see the effects it produces.

Cheers

 

[Box Brownie]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

I had to look that up in the manual.

I am unsure about it's value or 'usage' in comparison to post processing on PC or Mac as needed?

Though reading that section of the manual, it does say when used on raw files the output file is also raw!

I can only surmise, though I don't use it, that OM Workspace perhaps with the camera tethered to it can perform the "Image Overlay" ???

I await others posts to answer how useful or used it is.

 

[3dpan]

I did find an "enthusiastic" video from Thomas Eisl on the subject,

Seems like it may be useful for product or landscape photos, where there is no movement beween frames, to eg reduce noise.

It looks so clever it should have many applications.

 

[BudgetTraveller]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

Yes I do and often. I do a lot of ICM (In Camera Movement) photography and creative photography that you can't take alone by itself.

Below is an example of an Image Overlay used effectively by overlaying 2 exposures of different subjects and making it appear that it was taken in 1 shot.


The dragon fly and the spider web were taken independently in 2 different locations. Some planning needed to happen to help blend the 2 images together properly to give it realism. Since the final image is RAW, you can easily adjust the exposure, shadows and colors to help blend the 2 images together.

 

[3dpan]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

Yes I do and often. I do a lot of ICM (In Camera Movement) photography and creative photography that you can't take alone by itself.

Below is an example of an Image Overlay used effectively by overlaying 2 exposures of different subjects and making it appear that it was taken in 1 shot.


The dragon fly and the spider web were taken independently in 2 different locations. Some planning needed to happen to help blend the 2 images together properly to give it realism. Since the final image is RAW, you can easily adjust the exposure, shadows and colors to help blend the 2 images together.

Wow, that's creative. Thank you for giving me some ideas

 

[BudgetTraveller]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

Yes I do and often. I do a lot of ICM (In Camera Movement) photography and creative photography that you can't take alone by itself.

Below is an example of an Image Overlay used effectively by overlaying 2 exposures of different subjects and making it appear that it was taken in 1 shot.


The dragon fly and the spider web were taken independently in 2 different locations. Some planning needed to happen to help blend the 2 images together properly to give it realism. Since the final image is RAW, you can easily adjust the exposure, shadows and colors to help blend the 2 images together.

Wow, that's creative. Thank you for giving me some ideas

You're most welcome! It is a very powerful tool, once you get a hang of it. It's especially a powerful tool when you use it with Workspace to create ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) images, because unlike the camera, Workspace has 4 blending modes allowing even more creative expression to be made and is made possible, because the final images are all in RAW.

 

[James Stirling]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

Yes I do and often. I do a lot of ICM (In Camera Movement) photography and creative photography that you can't take alone by itself.

Below is an example of an Image Overlay used effectively by overlaying 2 exposures of different subjects and making it appear that it was taken in 1 shot.


The dragon fly and the spider web were taken independently in 2 different locations. Some planning needed to happen to help blend the 2 images together properly to give it realism. Since the final image is RAW, you can easily adjust the exposure, shadows and colors to help blend the 2 images together.

Your shot and planning worked out very well, would it not be just as easy to do it in post ?

--
Jim Stirling:
"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason, is like administering medicine to the dead." - Thomas Paine
Feel free to tinker with any photos I post

 

[BudgetTraveller]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

Yes I do and often. I do a lot of ICM (In Camera Movement) photography and creative photography that you can't take alone by itself.

Below is an example of an Image Overlay used effectively by overlaying 2 exposures of different subjects and making it appear that it was taken in 1 shot.


The dragon fly and the spider web were taken independently in 2 different locations. Some planning needed to happen to help blend the 2 images together properly to give it realism. Since the final image is RAW, you can easily adjust the exposure, shadows and colors to help blend the 2 images together.

Your shot and planning worked out very well, would it not be just as easy to do it in post ?

Thank you!

Absolutely! You can do it in post as well with Workspace and actually gives you more blending modes that the camera doesn't come with and do that when in-camera blending doesn't give me what I want.

I started using this when it became available since my first Olympus E-PL1, so now it's all muscle memory and just seeing what works and what doesn't and so I do mostly in the camera. It's quicker and you can do re-shoots if the blending did not work out. But with lots and lots of practice and planning, you can easily do it in post as well.

 

[Box Brownie]

Though my version is older v.2.1.1 there is not reference in the Help Manual nor any obvious selection in the menus ???

Bearing in mind the Image Overlay is supposed to have been in many earlier models I am surprised that it is not mentioned in OM Workspace.

It strikes me as odd

Edit & FWIW as far as I can tell:-

I have found it in Workspace under Tools > Composite Images > Multiple Composite

 

[Photongraphy]

I discovered a hidden feature on my OM-1 II called Image Overlay.
Apparently it's been there all the time, and on other models as well, just that I wasn't aware of it.
Applies to Raw files only.

Question, does anyone out there use this feature, and for what, and is it actually useful ??

I've used it a few times - it's a great feature for creating artistic/creative images. Blending images of different subjects with simular forms, visualising movement, or creating 'ghosts' - there are a lot of things you can do with it, and it's fun. Of course you can do the same in software, but WYSIWYG makes it easier to do.

 

[AndrewHolloway]

It's useful when for multiple exposures but, in general, multiple exposure processing in camera is very limited given the other computational processing strengths such as focus stacking and ND filter. Multiple blending modes and the ability to choose the number of exposures would take it to a new level and mean much more could be done in camera rather than in post processing.

 

[Lars Henrik Oern]

I have been using it quite a bit on art museums to combine different angels of a room or combining different things into one new thing.

I have also used it for portraits with something of importance for the person in the background and a portrait in the foreground. It gives a dreamy effect

 

[softmarmotte]

Used it a few times when things like the moon 'isn't in the right place'