Making the sky blue with CS2

[boxofrocks]

I've got an image (below) where I need to get rid of an overcast sky and make it seem more like a clear day. I know there's an easy way to do this, but I can't remember it to save my life.

I don't want to have to mask the image, becase the light coming through the trees will be almost impossible to fix. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[gregt1310]

Hey Tom,

Give this a try. I have used it in the past, and for the most part it seems to work.

http://www.lonestardigital.com/blue_sky.htm

[srwatters]

Waiting with eager anticipation...

I have a similar situation where I shot one image exposed for the sky and a second for the main subject. Problem is there are trees just like your shot that bisect the merge point (a building).

[mivy00]

You can also try to use select -> color range and increase the fuzzieness

[boxofrocks]

Thanks. I already got pretty deep into "my" method, so I'll let you see how it looks--be done in a little while.

[mivy00]

I had already taken a stab at it with select color range. but id like to see what you come up with too

[DJ.]

I gave it a quick try...

[boxofrocks]

Here's what I came up with (cropped for magazine cover).

I duplicated the original layer, and painted the sky and trees in "color" mode. Added a gradient, and then applied a layer mask to clean up the steers and buildings. Adjusted the opacity of the mask level to my liking. Made the dirt look like grass, and "ta-daa"--it falls into the "good enough for the unwashed masses" category.

Thanks for the help!

[boxofrocks]

DJ--I like your clouds better. Love to hear about the workflow. Maybe a stock clouds shot and a layer mask?

[DJ.]

Copied the background layer.
Used the background erase to make the old sky transparent.
Took one of my sky images and copied it into the image which creates another layer.
Moved the sky layer below the erased copy and moved it around until it looked best.
Flattened the image and saved it.

[boxofrocks]

Took one last stab at it using CS2 rendered clouds.

I'm now officially sick of looking at it.

[my3peas]

Tom, I found a bunch of free cloud brushes at deviantart. If you're interested in adding a cloud or 2:

http://search.deviantart.com/?sectio...=cloud+brushes

[DJ.]

Tom,
Give one of these at try.

http://www.creativemac.com/2003/08_a...ad41030811.htm

[huxley]

out of all the examples posted i think DJ's is the most natural looking, and thats what i would be looking for. a natural look. maybe feather the edges a little and you have got a good shot.

[tc82742]

i love seeing a blah original and then seeing a finished piece that looks great.
i like them all.. they all vary.. but provide good results.