|
This lesson demonstrates how to replace skies using the Colour Range command. To work along, you can download the image I am working with Here. Unzip the file and open the image onto Photoshop’s workspace ready to utilise. Note: Individual photographs will react uniquely, therefore, always experiment with the Colour Range settings, and discover what works best for your photograph.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
1/
Open your photograph onto Photoshop’s workspace, and extend its grey workspace.
2/
Then unlock the Background layer by holding down the Alt key, and double-left-clicking the Background layer.
 |
3/
Now, from the top menu, choose Select then choose Colour Range.
Note
With the Colour Range command, you are looking to create a solid black and solid white image. The areas you are retaining (the tree and part of the building) will be solid Black, and the sky you wish to remove will be solid White.
In the subsequent Colour Range dialogue box, click open the Select drop-down list and click Sampled Colours. Left-click the sky area indicated by the arrows below - or click the lightest area of your photograph; then gradually move the Fuzziness slider to the
right. Increasing the Fuzziness creates a greater black and white contrast, however, keep an eye on your image, and be careful not to overdue it - remember, you are looking to create the best (solid) black and white contrast - retaining as much tree and building detail as possible. For my photograph, I am setting my Fuzziness to 72, however, it is important to experiment with this setting.
 
Tip
Individual images may benefit from different Select settings - experiment, and see what works best for you.
 |
When you are satisfied you have created the best black and white separation possible, click OK. Your tree and building will now be isolated by a selection marquee.
Tip
To remove stray marquee pixels, activate your choice of Lasso Tool, and set it to Subtract from selection. Then surround stray pixels with a lasso.
4/ Optional
From the top menu, choose Select then choose Modify then choose Expand, in the subsequent Expand Selection dialogue box, enter 1 into the Expand by box, then click OK.
5/
From the top menu, choose Select then choose Modify then choose Feather. In the subsequent Feather Selection dialogue box, enter a Feather Radius of 0.2 Pixel, then click OK.
Note
For individual images, experiment with the Feather and Expand settings.
6/
Now, press your keyboard’s Delete key. This removes the tree’s background, leaving a chessboard transparency effect.
7/
Press Ctrl then D to remove the selection marquee.
Tip
Remove errant pixels with the Eraser Tool.
8/
Click the Create a new layer icon at the foot of the Layers palette - this creates a transparent layer above your tree image.
9/
Then set your Foreground to Mid Blue and the Background to White.
10/
Now, activate the Gradient Tool, click Reset Gradients, and click Append. Then double-left-click to set the Foreground to Background gradient.
Working on the transparent layer, stretch a gradient line over your image.
11/
Then in the Layers palette, drag the gradient layer below the tree image.
Note
Extracting skies from a busy image such as the tree I am working with can take time and care. Additionally, for optimum results, replace the sky with a gradient of similar lightness to the original sky.
Tip
Soften imperfect edges using the Blur Tool - using a very low Strength, additionally, the Clone Tool can rebuild lost foliage detail.
12/
When you are happy with your result, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, and save your work.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
|
|
