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Posted on 05/09/06 5:13:42 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply  |
Sky-to-Landscape Blending
I've had the privilege of taking a helicopter ride this weekend and shot a number of photos. This one in particular had a lot of hidden information that, when revealed using curves, really enhances the photograph...I especially like the sun-rays coming from around the clouds. I am having trouble seamlessly blending the sky and landscape together. I always end up with a strong, off-color horizon line as well as other blending problems. Does anyone have any methods of approach. I'm currently using curve adjustment layers and erasing the undesired area with a brush. Thanks in advance, Chris |
Posted on 05/09/06 5:16:59 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
I'm not sure how that image ended up on a separate topic area...anyhow, here's the image.  |
Posted on 05/09/06 6:17:50 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply  |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Duplicate the layer, and adjust it so you get your "desired sky" above the "desired landscape". Then make a layer mask on the sky layer, and paint out all the black landscape. This could leave rather a harsh join; so here, I've used a soft-edged brush on the layer mask to paint some of the top of the land back in, to add strength to it. Is this the effect you were after?  |
Posted on 05/09/06 6:23:48 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
WOW!! 
Yes, Steve! That's exactly what I was looking for! A friend is a member of the church that is in the foreground. I recognized the church from the helecopter and snapped that photo! Thanks again, Steve! I think the church will really like this photo when I finish it and get it framed. Chris |
Posted on 06/09/06 01:18:44 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply  |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Here, I used the asme technique as Steve. You can even play with the clouds shadows on the forest by painting the layer mask with white or black, as needed, with a soft brush. Note that my sky is not as dramatic as yours, but you surely can fix that!   _________________ |
Posted on 06/09/06 5:19:59 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Nice one, Pierre! Here's my version...I'm thinking about playing with it a bit...Using curves on the clouds layer produces some interesting and neat effects. I'll have to play some more.  |
Posted on 06/09/06 5:37:14 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
How much do you guys think this picture looks like Photoshop work? Something doesn't look right to me, but maybe it's just me!  |
Posted on 08/09/06 01:48:43 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Wow! Honestly I think it is only the left lower part of the clouds that overlap the forest a slightly bit, with dab of light that is there... I think...  _________________ |
Posted on 08/09/06 7:53:22 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Thanks, Pierre! I see what you mean and fixed it's been fixed. The image looks much better now! |
Posted on 09/09/06 03:10:54 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Glad to help! _________________ |
Posted on 09/09/06 4:35:05 PM |
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michael sinclair
Off-Topic Opportunist Posts: 1856 Reply  |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
The method that works for me is to make a selection of the whole sky with the Magic Wand Tool, and use the Shadows/highlights tool from the Adjustments section (CS2) or from Enhancements (Elements4) and then "Inverse" the selection and make suitable adjustments to the foreground. Here are two different images (no colour adjustments made) which I took recently, each of which has a "before" and "after" look: 
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Posted on 10/09/06 6:40:26 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Thanks Michael. Your techique seems to add alot of depth to the image, especially in the second set. I really like the enhancements on the clouds to illustrate the sense of range and perspective! I have my computer at work, so I'll be eager to try your technique on Monday with my image. By the way, where were these photos taken? Gorgeous landscape! --Chris |
Posted on 13/09/06 5:59:12 PM |
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michael sinclair
Off-Topic Opportunist Posts: 1856 Reply |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
Hi Chris, They were taken north of the Brecon beacons in mid-wales. Here's another example of a "before" and "after" sky when just the "highlights" slider is moved to the right in the Shadows and Highlights box. Mike 
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Posted on 13/09/06 6:16:00 PM |
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Wayne
Printer’s Devil Posts: 312 Reply  |
Re: Sky-to-Landscape Blending
This is great Michael. I have used Shadow/Highlight before for correcting dark photos but had no idea it could bring out so much depth of colour in the blue of the sky. I've been bemoaning the lack of blue in the skies of my photos for ages, and always assumed that, to improve things I would have to buy a polarising filter for my camera . Thanks for the tip |