The Billionth Post About PS Sky Replacement: Personally, I don't believe in replacing skies, but to each his or her own. Since this new PS tool seems to be a hot topic on UHH, I...

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Personally, I don't believe in replacing skies, but to each his or her own. Since this new PS tool seems to be a hot topic on UHH, I thought I would ask my questions here before I invest in updating my imac with a newer model.
My intended use for the tool would be combining exposures ie. sky and fg for dynamic range. Presently I use Luminar for this purpose and it works great. I just use the horizon position slider to drag the sky exposure down untill it aligns. The only issue I have is that the sky has to be a jpeg.
1) Does anyone know if I can use the PS tool in this manner?
2) Does it have to be in jpeg format?
Thanks

User ID

Sounds like you are doing HDR in two layers. Each layer is a useful exposure for the sky and ground respectively, both layers being essentially the same shot but at a different exposure. Is that a fairly good description ?

If so, perhaps the term/idea of “PS sky replacement” is a red herring ... and so, better that you should seek advice and tutorials on HDR ?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I think photography is an art and it must be judged accordingly. Personally, I'm open.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Luminar is revealing detail with a simple exposure adjustment, correct? If that's the case, adjustment layers with masking is a common way to selectively adjust exposure when processing raw files in PS or PSE. You can also do a lot with the raw editing sliders (lower the whites, raise the blacks, etc).

Gene51 has a couple of extreme examples he posts to UHH regularly. Here is his most recent:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-670536-1.html#11675327

If dynamic range is too wide for your camera to capture in raw (using exposure guidelines such as ETTR), follow the procedures for HDR per User ID's recommendation.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

User ID wrote:

Sounds like you are doing HDR in two layers. Each layer is a useful exposure for the sky and ground respectively, both layers being essentially the same shot but at a different exposure. Is that a fairly good description ?

If so, perhaps the term/idea of “PS sky replacement” is a red herring ... and so, better that you should seek advice and tutorials on HDR ?

Thanks for the reply. Yes you are acurrate with your description. But I do not need advice on HDR. I am completely competent on blending exposures using various masking techniques. But like I said the sky replacement tool in Luminar makes this possible and simple without any masking.
I was just wondering if the PS tool works the same.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Linda From Maine wrote:

Luminar is revealing detail with a simple exposure... (show quote)

Thanks for the reply. But I guess I didn't explain my self clearly. I really don't need any tutorials on HDR or exposure blending. I am totally competent in that area using layers, luminosity masking etc.
The sky replacement tool in Luminar can blend two exposures with just one slider without doing complicated masking. I am not talking about replacing a sky with another.
I was just wondering if I can do the same thing in the new PS. I want to spend as little time as possible at the computer. I'd rather be out taking pictures.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

mflowe wrote:

Thanks for the reply. But I guess I didn't explain... (show quote)

Ah, gotcha!

There are a few You-Tube videos already. Here's an overview and an "advanced" tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_jWJ7Z-tKI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjsUlOxvrU

.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Linda From Maine wrote:

Ah, gotcha!

There are a few You-Tube videos already. Here's an overview and an "advanced" tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_jWJ7Z-tKI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjsUlOxvrU

.

Thanks, I'll check em out.

Ourspolair

The sky replacement tool in PS 2021 uses psd files as native files for the sky replacement. They are adjusted in the same way as any other layer. The smarts in the software just make it a lot easier than making your own mask.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Ourspolair wrote:

The sky replacement tool in PS 2021 uses psd files as native files for the sky replacement. They are adjusted in the same way as any other layer. The smarts in the software just make it a lot easier than making your own mask.

Thanks that answers one of my questions about file type.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

You can also use jpg and Tiff files for sky replacement in PS.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

As I have said before, I see no difference between adding skies or subtracting posts, wires, etc. Both create an image that isn’t real, but nearly everyone encourages the latter--the mindset makes no sense to me.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

mflowe wrote:

Personally, I don't believe in replacing skies, bu... (show quote)

I use jpeg in photoshop without issue.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

jaymatt wrote:

As I have said before, I see no difference between adding skies or subtracting posts, wires, etc. Both create an image that isn’t real, but nearly everyone encourages the latter--the mindset makes no sense to me.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

jaymatt wrote:

As I have said before, I see no difference between adding skies or subtracting posts, wires, etc. Both create an image that isn’t real, but nearly everyone encourages the latter--the mindset makes no sense to me.

John, if you had a great shot waiting for you, but had distractions like power lines, that you could not remove by changing positions or cropping, what would you do? Miss that shot? I take the shot and remove the distraction. It makes for a more pleasing photo.

But, to each his own. But for me, I see no problem.