Open for Voting
Intelligent Auto Sky Reflection for Ps Sky Replacement Feature
The current Sky Replacement feature in Photoshop intelligently replaces the sky in an image and blends it with the foreground. However, it doesn't provide the option to automatically detect and apply the new sky to reflective surfaces, such as in water bodies, puddles on a rainy day (which would be trickier for users to create), chrome on cars, etc., leaving an unrealistic effect where the water or other surface reflects the old sky. Users currently have to manually copy, flip, and blend layers and layer masks (and remember the associated sky settings) to achieve a natural-looking reflection, which can be a time-consuming and complex process, especially for images with intricate reflections or water surfaces (including the already-mentioned murkier street puddles which would be virtually impossible to get the current Sky Replacement tool to recognize as a 'sky'). Selfishly, if it has to be rolled out in Ps beta on only one platform to start, I'd wish for it to be for Windows 11 users - like me.
Proposed Solution:
Introduce an "Auto Sky Reflection" feature option within the existing Sky Replacement panel. This feature would leverage Adobe Sensei AI (similar to the sky replacement itself) to automatically detect and generate a realistic reflection of the newly chosen sky in bodies of water or reflective surfaces within the image. I prefer that it be a user check-marked option vs auto-detect (which could add sky reflections when not needed or wanted and create more work for users to undo). This would also be a more elegant Adobe offering than for users to create klugey self-constructed Actions.
How it could work:
- Automatic Detection: The tool would automatically identify reflective surfaces in the foreground (e.g., water, wet ground, shiny objects).
- AI-Powered Reflection: Upon selecting a new sky & checking the "Add Sky Reflection" box, the tool would generate a corresponding reflection on the identified/editable surfaces, mirroring the sky's features (clouds, light, color) and accounting for the nature of the reflection (e.g., water ripples, surface distortions).
- Adjustable Blending & Refinement: Similar to the current sky replacement adjustments, the reflection could offer controls for:
- Intensity/Opacity: Adjusting the strength or visibility of the reflection.
- Motion Blur/Distortion: Simulating realistic water ripples or distortions in the reflection.
- Color/Tone/Brightness Matching: Fine-tuning the reflection's color and tone to seamlessly integrate with the foreground (which may have to be darker than the source sky).
- Manual Refinement: Allowing users to manually refine the reflection area using masks or brushes for highly complex scenes.
- Output Options: Maintain the current "Output to New Layers" option, creating a dedicated "Sky Reflection" layer or group for further editing and adjustment, providing greater flexibility and control.
Expected Benefits:
- Improved Image/Composite Realism: Produces more believable and natural sky replacements, especially in images with reflective surfaces.
- Time-Saving Workflow: Significantly reduces the time and effort spent manually creating reflections, streamlining the editing process. For amateurs/hobbyists it would be a convenience that helps justify a Ps subscription, for pros it could contribute to their profits...
- Enhanced User Experience: Makes sky replacement more accessible and efficient for users of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals.
- Greater Creative Control: Allows users to focus on creative adjustments rather than tedious manual tasks.
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