Aligning one image on top of an (almost identical) image

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a blue image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the blue channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried produces an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.

Thanks,
Aaron Queenan

Try alt.graphics.photoshop or comp.graphics.apps.photoshop

Don

"Aaron Queenan" wrote in message

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a

blue

image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the

blue

channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried

produces

an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.
Thanks,
Aaron Queenan

Sorry, my mistake. I see you have already cross-posted :-(

Don

"Don" wrote in message

Try alt.graphics.photoshop or comp.graphics.apps.photoshop
Don

"Aaron Queenan" wrote in

message

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one

image

over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a

blue

image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry.

The

result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the

blue

channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either

the

red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried

produces

an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and

108

matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them

properly,

preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.
Thanks,
Aaron Queenan

Aaron Queenan wrote:

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a blue image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the blue channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried produces an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.

Drag and drop while holding the SHIFT key should align them perfectly.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.nl/

"Aaron Queenan"
asked

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a blue image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the blue
channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried produces an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.

Even doing it by hand, you would be restricted to increments of whole pixels. The better way is to use the Optipix plugins (http://ReindeerGraphics.com) for Photoshop. They include a routine that will automatically (using Fourier Transform Cross-correlation) determine the offset of the images and apply sub-pixel shifts for alignment. They also have routines that will blend images that are over- and under-exposed, which might also be of interest in this application.

Aaron Queenan wrote:

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a blue image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the blue channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried produces an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.
Thanks,
Aaron Queenan

Any photo editor that supports layers will do what you want, and PhotoShop (and Elements) will do this.

"Aaron Queenan" wrote in message

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a

blue

image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the

blue

channel.

I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried

produces

an image with detail in all three channels.

As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly, preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand.

The only thing I can think of would be to copy and paste in different layers. Then adjust each layer for optimum. This adjustment should be recorded as an 'Action' in Photoshop. Then it will be a simple matter of calling up each picture paste and set the Action.

"Johan W. Elzenga" wrote in message

Aaron Queenan wrote:

Drag and drop while holding the SHIFT key should align them perfectly.

Yes - do what Johan says. Sheesh - it's not rocket science.

In article ,
says...

"Johan W. Elzenga" wrote in message

Aaron Queenan wrote:

Drag and drop while holding the SHIFT key should align them perfectly.

Yes - do what Johan says. Sheesh - it's not rocket science.

Well, that aligns image to center of layer, but does not necessarily align one image to the other, if they aren't perfectly aligned to begin with in reality (from camera,scanner, whatever originals).

You can of course reduce opacity of your top layer temporarily to see to align but one is still doing it manually.

Mac

Mac McDougald writes:

In article ,
says...

"Johan W. Elzenga" wrote in message

Aaron Queenan wrote:

Drag and drop while holding the SHIFT key should align them perfectly.

Yes - do what Johan says. Sheesh - it's not rocket science.

Well, that aligns image to center of layer, but does not necessarily align one image to the other, if they aren't perfectly aligned to begin with in reality (from camera,scanner, whatever originals).
You can of course reduce opacity of your top layer temporarily to see to align but one is still doing it manually.

Not to mention that most of the methods suggested seem to be limited to single-pixel resolution (you really want subpixel resolution) and all of them seem to ignore the possibility of rotation or warp in addition to a shift. A warp could come about from any inconsistency in scan rate from frame to frame.

--
-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

"stewy" {} wrote in message
}
} "Aaron Queenan" {} wrote in
message
} } } Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image
} } over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a } blue
} } image over the matching part of a red and green image. } }
} } I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The
} } result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the } blue
} } channel.
} }
} } I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the
} } red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried } produces
} } an image with detail in all three channels.
} }
} } As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108
} } matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly,
} } preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand. } }
} The only thing I can think of would be to copy and paste in different } layers. Then adjust each layer for optimum. This adjustment should be } recorded as an 'Action' in Photoshop. Then it will be a simple matter of } calling up each picture paste and set the Action.

Unfortunately, the x,y ofset for each image is different, because they were scanned separately, so I'd really do with a program that aligns them automatically.

Of course, I'd rather not pay too much for it, because it would only take a few hours to do the job by hand, after all. *sigh*

Aaron.

"Mac McDougald" {} wrote in message
} In article {
} says...
} }
} } "Johan W. Elzenga" {} wrote in message
} } } } } Aaron Queenan {} wrote:
} }
} } } Drag and drop while holding the SHIFT key should align them perfectly. } }
} } Yes - do what Johan says. Sheesh - it's not rocket science. }
} Well, that aligns image to center of layer, but does not necessarily } align one image to the other, if they aren't perfectly aligned to begin } with in reality (from camera,scanner, whatever originals).

That is the main problem. The red/green image and the blue image was scanned separately for each negative (or strip of 4), so the top left coordinate of the images vary.

At least the images seem to align well, i.e. aren't twisted, sheared, warped, etc relative to each other.

Aaron.

"DrJohnRuss" {} wrote in message
} "Aaron Queenan"
} asked
}
} }Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image } }over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a blue
} }image over the matching part of a red and green image. } }
} }I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The } }result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the } }blue
} }channel.
} }
} }I can adjust the gain (really the exposure) in NikonScan to get either the
} }red and green channel OR the blue channel, but nothing I have tried produces
} }an image with detail in all three channels.
} }
} }As a result, I have 108 images with valid red and green channels, and 108 } }matching images with a valid blue channel. I need to align them properly,
} }preferably without having to do the whole thing by hand. }
} Even doing it by hand, you would be restricted to increments of whole pixels.
} The better way is to use the Optipix plugins (http://ReindeerGraphics.com) for
} Photoshop. They include a routine that will automatically (using Fourier } Transform Cross-correlation) determine the offset of the images and apply } sub-pixel shifts for alignment. They also have routines that will blend images
} that are over- and under-exposed, which might also be of interest in this } application.

Thanks, I'll give it a go.

Aaron.

"Aaron Queenan" wrote in message

Unfortunately, the x,y ofset for each image is different, because they

were

scanned separately, so I'd really do with a program that aligns them automatically.

Aaron (and all) I apologize for the misinformation. I did not remember that you had separate scans to combine.

(For future references concerning combining images of a single subject which has vastly different contrast ranges, you might want to look into HDRC. Write if I need to elaborate.)

"Aaron Queenan" wrote in message

Is there any software (or feature in Photoshop) that will align one image over another image that is almost identical? Ideally it could align a

blue

image over the matching part of a red and green image.

I have some negative film, (accidentally) developed in E6 chemistry. The result is that the red and green channels are very dark compared to the

blue

channel.

Here's how to do it:

1) Load the first image into PS
2) Temporarily increase the canvas size to give yourself moving about room.
3) Load the overlay image into a new layer
4) Set the new layer's blend mode to "Difference"
5) Use the Move Tool, keyboard, and mouse to size, shift, and rotate the
overlaid image to its best fit.
6) Set new layer's blending mode and opacity to whatever you need
7) Flatten and crop the new image

Voila!

I've done this to make transparent projections of topographical maps onto aerial photos and to combine multiple digital camera exposures.

Aaron Queenan wrote:

"stewy" {} wrote in message
} The only thing I can think of would be to copy and paste in different } layers. Then adjust each layer for optimum. This adjustment should be } recorded as an 'Action' in Photoshop. Then it will be a simple matter of } calling up each picture paste and set the Action.

Unfortunately, the x,y ofset for each image is different, because they were scanned separately, so I'd really do with a program that aligns them automatically.

Of course, I'd rather not pay too much for it, because it would only take a few hours to do the job by hand, after all. *sigh*

Here's the free & 'perfect' solution:

Use Hugin & Autopano to automatically determine the offset (in yaw, pitch & roll) between pairs of images, then generate Photoshop multilayer files from the results.

Hugin will do subpixel alignment & sampling. :-)

Terje
--
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"