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Perfect Skies Action

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Keith D.

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Inspired by the post Vera made ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into the distance. I've also included more control over the density of clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
 
Hi Keith,
was this picture along the Rhine?
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
--
I live to eat therefore I cook well, if I live to photograph would it happen?



The best way to convince a fool is to let it have its way.
 
Good guess ;-)

We went to Germany a few years ago and this was taken from a tour boat on the Rhine, not from from Rudeshein. The scenery in Germany was fantastic.

Keith
Babe said:
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
--
I live to eat therefore I cook well, if I live to photograph would
it happen?



The best way to convince a fool is to let it have its way.
Click to expand...
 
I live here. Not directly along the Rhine but I've driven along it often enough. The scene just looked soooooo familiar.
Keith D. said:
We went to Germany a few years ago and this was taken from a tour
boat on the Rhine, not from from Rudeshein. The scenery in Germany
was fantastic.

Keith
Babe said:
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
--
I live to eat therefore I cook well, if I live to photograph would
it happen?



The best way to convince a fool is to let it have its way.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
I live to eat therefore I cook well, if I live to photograph would it happen?



The best way to convince a fool is to let it have its way.
 
Bud Guinn said:
Keith, looks like a great action.....I've downloaded it and will
give it a try tonight after church.....thanks for the contribution.

--
bud guinn
sony.nikon
http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/root
DPReview, PBase supporter
Click to expand...
--great I will also be giving it a try. I think blown out skies and frame actions are the most asked questions.
This forum never fails to amaze me
Vera
 
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
--
Vera
 
Have you tried Aurora? it'S a great little photoshop plugin..they have a demo version:

http://www.digi-element.com

works for PC and Mac.
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
--
Daniella
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=26918
http://www.pbase.com/zylen
C700 FORUM: http://www.c700uz.com

c7OOuz, Dimage-7, Tcon14, C210, Cokin 173, Graduated ND, Hoya red Intensifier, Hoya R72.
 
Thank you Keith for providing us with an action for replacing the skies. This is quite useful as you can never tell what the sky will look like when it comes time to take a certain picture. Your new skies look great. I especially like the one with fewer clouds - looks pretty real.

Judy
 
I'm at work now, but you can be certain that as soon as I get home tonight I'll be downloading and giving this one a try. I rarely get a blown out sky in my pics anymore, but for the few that I do get this could be a true lifesaver.
God Bless,
Jim
CP995, CP800
http://www.pbase.com/jrj02
 
Help Please

I downloaded the action and copied it to Photoshop 7 at
PS7/presets/Photoshop Actions
This is where the files .atn are located.

I then started PS7, opened a picture and then opened the actions pallette but the cloud action did not appear. (other actions did).
Can you please tell me what I have done wrong?

Thanks
Bob
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
 
At the top of the Actions palette.. on the right there's a triangle.. click that.. load action.. and locate the new action.
Robert Gilbert said:
Help Please

I downloaded the action and copied it to Photoshop 7 at
PS7/presets/Photoshop Actions
This is where the files .atn are located.
I then started PS7, opened a picture and then opened the actions
pallette but the cloud action did not appear. (other actions did).
Can you please tell me what I have done wrong?

Thanks
Bob
Click to expand...
--
Cathy
http://www.jagrdesigns.com
 
Lots of help, but not there yet.. I do have the blue skies action and it ok but I want to add my own clouds.. the tech pages a couple of you gave are not available ...I need a tutorial for adding clouds.. help..

jess
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
 
Something else I've been playing with are the "cloud" brushes available from adobe studio. These look great either standalone or in addition to the results of the Perfect Skies action. Of course it takes a bit more time than just running the action.

http://share.studio.adobe.com/axAssetDetailSubmit.asp?aID=5700&back=http%3A%2F%2Fshare%2Estudio%2Eadobe%2Ecom%2FaxQuickSearchSubmit%2Easp%3Ftxt%3Deden%26allprods%3D2%26submit1%2Ex%3D32%26submit1%2Ey%3D10

Note if that link does not work go to http://studio.adobe.com/ and navigate down to the photshop area and search for "return to eden".
jess russell said:
jess
Keith D. said:
Inspired by the post Vera made

( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=4297060 ) I decided to see if I could get PS to generate more realistic looking clouds for fixing blown out skies. I found an approach that worked well and wrote an action to automate everything. Note, I don't claim to be an action expert so feedback/suggestions are welcome.

The main advantage this adds to Vera's technique is to do
perspective correction on the sky so clouds appear to go off into
the distance. I've also included more control over the density of
clouds and the ability to tweak the sky color after generating the
sky.

Here are sample before and after pictures:



And after:



The action, more samples, and tips can be found at
http://www.keithandgina.com/photoshop .

Keith
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
We have so many grey skies in the winter here in Tuscany, that I save nice blue skies to paste into a photo when I need to.

It's so hard to manufacture the right blue or get the complexity of clouds perfect, that I'd rather use info from another photo.

I notice that many leave out an important step when dealing with skies: the blue always gets lighter toward the horizon. Even along hill and mountain tops, the sky gets lighter in colour. Propably from moisture rising up or perhaps the light is refracted in some way. You must do it subtley, but it's an important step to truly "ground" the sky in a photograph.

--
Ron in Italy
 
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