Sky replacement w/ reflection: After 3 tries I finally found a location to photograph Cathedral Rock that included a decent water reflection. Unfortunately, the sky was that dull grey...

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

After 3 tries I finally found a location to photograph Cathedral Rock that included a decent water reflection. Unfortunately, the sky was that dull grey at the golden hour and the results were unimpressive. Given that my home is 1700 miles away I may not have another opportunity. I've done sky replacement before with some success, but am wondering how that might be accomplished when the image includes a reflection. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Just a suggestion but you might want to post the shot so we can see what you're up against.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

You also failed to tell use your software.

In Photo shop. You all ready know how to replace the sky.

I would simple paste the sky onto a new layer, then flip it. Move it over the water.

Reduce the opacity, then erase the areas that are not wanted,
The reduced opacity should give the impression of reflection. You also might want to blur on the reflection layer to give it a blended look.

A quick randomization of 80K file

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Luggerbugs wrote:

Just a suggestion but you might want to post the shot so we can see what you're up against.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-286922-1.html

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Bill Houghton wrote:

You also failed to tell use your software.

In Photo shop. You all ready know how to replace the sky.

I would simple paste the sky onto a new layer, then flip it. Move it over the water.

Reduce the opacity, then erase the areas that are not wanted,
The reduced opacity should give the impression of reflection. You also might want to blur on the reflection layer to give it a blended look.

Nice work. That sounds doable. Will give it a shot with the original. Thank you!

Bob1190 Loc: Hatboro, PA

Thanks Bill for the explanation to put the reflection in the water.

Bill Houghton wrote:

You also failed to tell use your software.

In Photo shop. You all ready know how to replace the sky.

I would simple paste the sky onto a new layer, then flip it. Move it over the water.

Reduce the opacity, then erase the areas that are not wanted,
The reduced opacity should give the impression of reflection. You also might want to blur on the reflection layer to give it a blended look.

(Download)

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

PS CS5 mod.

(Download)

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

SoHillGuy wrote:

PS CS5 mod.

Love it. I have CS5. Could you explain how you did it?

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

windshoppe wrote:

Love it. I have CS5. Could you explain how you did it?

I was affraid someone might ask. I didn't have a routine, I justed started doing some things I thought might work.

I'll try to do it again, and make note of the steps I did. If I duplicate, I'll let you know those steps.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

I would greatly appreciate it!

Bob1190 Loc: Hatboro, PA

windshoppe wrote:

I would greatly appreciate it!

Look for " selecting hair using refine edge" on www.photoshopessentials.com .
Very easy to replce sky in background. Then follow Bill Houghton's methods for reflection in the water.

I.'m sure SoHillGuy will have great advise too. He's a masterl

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

windshoppe wrote:

I would greatly appreciate it!

I burned a lot of hours trying to duplicate my editing. The following is not how I may have done the modifications, and I'm sure it is not the only method. Some may find easier and better ways of doing it, and I would sure like to know them myself.

If you should not understand what I am trying to convey just ask a specific question, and perhaps I can clear something up.

New Sky, with sky reflection on the water.

Determine the pixel size of the original photo that you want to add a sky, and or a reflection to.
Resize the sky photo to the same pixel size as the original
Select the entire sky photo, and do an Edit Copy of it.
Delete the sky photo.
Load the original photo
Using the icon second from the right at the bottom of the Layers panel make a new layer.
Paste the cloud copy into this new layer.
Make a duplicate layer from the background and place it above the cloud layer.
Make a selection of the Original photos sky. Add a layer mask using the icon at the bottom of the layer panel. You may need to invert so the new sky is in the proper position.
Add another duplicate of the background; it should be place at the top of the stack at this point.
Add a layer mask.
Select the picture icon not the add mask.
Make a selection of the water where the reflection is to be located.
If you have selections that are not needed delete those from the selection.
EDIT -Place Special, Place into.
Edit Transform Flip Vertically.
Use the V key and then move the water clouds into a position that they are not duplicating the sky. This has to do with the viewing angles.
Use the hue adjustment to lighten the water clouds, as they are never as dark as the sky.
You may even use a Gaussian blur, just a slight one, maybe one pixel.
Delete Background copy 2, The sky will now show in the edited photo.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Bob as you go along in Photo Shop you will find there are many ways to skin the cat so say. You might want to try another method, select the Just the water, then go to the
Edit selection and select Hue/Saturation, and play with the sliders there. You should find rather amusing.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

SoHillGuy wrote:

I burned a lot of hours trying to duplicate my edi... (show quote)