First try at post processing - be kind...
May 7, 2019 14:37:27 #
As it says, this is my first shot at PP except for the almost automated changes you can make when viewing with MS PicViewer (or whatever it's called). I posted the original of this earlier in April. I was especially disappointed with the sky and my inattention/inability to the background objects.
Since that photo I added PSElements19 but have been postponing jumping in with both feet. I've watched several videos and that didn't help clear the confusion, so I "cook-booked" this one following the tutorial video called, "Add a new sky behind trees". Also referred to another tutorial on cloning to get rid of some objectionables. Pretty sure I'll have to go back to the videos to do another photo. No, definitely sure...
Please tell me what you think, what would have worked better/easier, whatever will help me navigate through this fog. And you really don't have to be kind if it helps. I'm still very dissatisfied with the treeline.
ron
Since that photo I added PSElements19 but have been postponing jumping in with both feet. I've watched several videos and that didn't help clear the confusion, so I "cook-booked" this one following the tutorial video called, "Add a new sky behind trees". Also referred to another tutorial on cloning to get rid of some objectionables. Pretty sure I'll have to go back to the videos to do another photo. No, definitely sure...
Please tell me what you think, what would have worked better/easier, whatever will help me navigate through this fog. And you really don't have to be kind if it helps. I'm still very dissatisfied with the treeline.
ron
May 7, 2019 14:44:18 #
May 7, 2019 14:49:47 #
To say this is the first tine you have replaced a sky you have done very well. You have removed the mail box and poles. I would have removed the bit of the tree that is in the top right as it is just floating. There are a few bits of tree that are floating on the sky line but the trees to me were not very good in the first place as they were hazy as if in mist.. The floating bits could be removed with a mask and as they are in the distance they would look ok.. Have you used masks yet?
May 7, 2019 14:52:48 #
Welcome, Ron! We're all in this journey together in PP Forum, so please don't be concerned. In addition to Nanaval's observations and question about masks, would you post the link to the tutorial if you still have it? I'd like to take a look and see how it relates to what I've picked up along the way for PS Elements with layers and layer masks before making any suggestions.
I think you've done a really nice job for a newbie
I think you've done a really nice job for a newbie
May 7, 2019 14:54:50 #
It's a very nice first effort. It's very difficult to replace a sky in an image with trees.
May 7, 2019 14:56:33 #
Very nice work Ron. Definitely enjoy the blue sky and clouds with your photo. Mahalo for sharing.
May 7, 2019 14:58:53 #
Nicely done, Ron. I find Adobe products fog inducing, and unnecessarily so - endless esoteric jargon to learn and endless arcane clickstream protocols to master. It is controversial, I know, to insult the PS gods. 
Anyway, you are doing great, the image looks fine. Tree lines are always difficult.
Mike
Anyway, you are doing great, the image looks fine. Tree lines are always difficult.
Mike
May 7, 2019 14:59:07 #
May 7, 2019 15:09:37 #
May 7, 2019 15:13:23 #
Good start, now you are doomed hooked on PP and can spend hours in front of a computer in place of unneeded activities like sleeping, being with the family etc etc 
May 7, 2019 15:22:14 #
Hey Ron. The sky replacement is fine well as the clean-up I note when comparing the processed version to the original. I'm kind of the "in for a penny, in for a pound" kind of guy on editing. And therefore, if you're going to replace the sky, you should consider taking on additional work, such as:
1. Clone out the distractions on the foreground and the partial items that exit the frame on the margins. Start by bringing in the left margin slightly to remove the partial truck tire. Then, clone away completely whatever is left in the lower left corner of the image. I think the equipment in the foreground should be removed completely too. Ideally, you could have stepped a bit closer or zoomed closer when the image was captured to avoid the editing needs later to remove this foreground clutter.
2. Remove the random leaves entering the frame in the upper right.
3a. Consider cropping to 16:9. This approach will remove some of the cloning work in the foreground. Move the crop 'box' up and down and see which works best, such as keeping most of the sky with the barbed wire / truck roof around the horizontal 1/3 guide. Or, maybe, keeping less sky and having the barbed wire / tree line fall more around the revised center line across the image.
3b. The 16:9 might not work, I didn't test myself. You might keep the current ratio, just pulling in the left side slightly to remove the tire and the right side about the same amount to keep the truck in the same position in the center of the frame.
4. Increase the luminance (brightness) of the blue in the sky. The position and white of the clouds seem natural, but the blue of the sky seems a bit too dark relative to the brightness of the field and vehicle.
5. You might add a bit of contrast to the overall image or darken just the red and orange of the rust of the truck. The details are in the image when viewed 100%. But, the truck is not well separated from the background where some overall contrast or work on the truck should help.
Congratulations on the results at this stage as the improvement to the image so far is noticeable and very positive relative to the original.
1. Clone out the distractions on the foreground and the partial items that exit the frame on the margins. Start by bringing in the left margin slightly to remove the partial truck tire. Then, clone away completely whatever is left in the lower left corner of the image. I think the equipment in the foreground should be removed completely too. Ideally, you could have stepped a bit closer or zoomed closer when the image was captured to avoid the editing needs later to remove this foreground clutter.
2. Remove the random leaves entering the frame in the upper right.
3a. Consider cropping to 16:9. This approach will remove some of the cloning work in the foreground. Move the crop 'box' up and down and see which works best, such as keeping most of the sky with the barbed wire / truck roof around the horizontal 1/3 guide. Or, maybe, keeping less sky and having the barbed wire / tree line fall more around the revised center line across the image.
3b. The 16:9 might not work, I didn't test myself. You might keep the current ratio, just pulling in the left side slightly to remove the tire and the right side about the same amount to keep the truck in the same position in the center of the frame.
4. Increase the luminance (brightness) of the blue in the sky. The position and white of the clouds seem natural, but the blue of the sky seems a bit too dark relative to the brightness of the field and vehicle.
5. You might add a bit of contrast to the overall image or darken just the red and orange of the rust of the truck. The details are in the image when viewed 100%. But, the truck is not well separated from the background where some overall contrast or work on the truck should help.
Congratulations on the results at this stage as the improvement to the image so far is noticeable and very positive relative to the original.
May 7, 2019 15:54:21 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Hey Ron. The sky replacement is fine well as the c... (show quote)
These are great, practical suggestions, and will provide some good practice.
Andy
May 7, 2019 16:22:39 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Agree with Andy on your "practical suggestions for good practice." Makes me think about how some folks express feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. We will have to tap your organizational skills for beginner lesson plans Congratulations on the results at this stage as the improvement to the image so far is noticeable and very positive relative to the original.
Many thanks for your time, Paul.May 7, 2019 17:55:15 #
cucharared wrote:
As it says, this is my first shot at PP except for... (show quote)
Nice job, for a first attempt you did not go overboard.
I would suggest cloning out the pole to the right of the truck as it is distracting.
May 7, 2019 20:12:49 #
Wow, you guys really made some kind remarks and very helpful suggestions.
Nanavel & Linda - I did get into masks. Can't say that I understood what I was exactly doing but I did recognize the usefulness and purpose.
Linda, here's the sky replacement vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc30DTDODTM
I also used this one for the cloning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YX__ocgE6M
CHG CANON - it'll take me awhile to try all your great suggestions. But I will.
Before I jump into revising this photo I'm going to try another to see how much I retained. Prolly not much except vague mental excerpts.
ron
Nanavel & Linda - I did get into masks. Can't say that I understood what I was exactly doing but I did recognize the usefulness and purpose.
Linda, here's the sky replacement vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc30DTDODTM
I also used this one for the cloning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YX__ocgE6M
CHG CANON - it'll take me awhile to try all your great suggestions. But I will.
Before I jump into revising this photo I'm going to try another to see how much I retained. Prolly not much except vague mental excerpts.
ron
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