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L
ligennroc
Inspiring
August 5, 2018
Answered

Replace complex area with new Background

  • August 5, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 826 views

Hi

Two problems I need help with please

I have a photo of an Eagle Owl in deep shadow taken in RAW format. I used a two stop exposure compensation and, while the owl exposure is perfect, I have totally blown the bright sky background. I can recover nothing from the blown highlights even taking Highlights & Whites in ACR as far negative as possible.

The resulting bright white blown highlights detract from the photo.

I want to preserve the owl and the foliage which form part of the background and replace the blown sky with an imported sky background.

The existing foliage is so ragged that I can't seem to select it successfully to create a clear enough area to import the new background.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

I need to update my ACR for Elements 2018, can anyone point me in the right direction and what is the latest version number?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer hatstead

ligennroc  wrote

I want to preserve the owl and the foliage which form part of the background and replace the blown sky with an imported sky background.

The existing foliage is so ragged that I can't seem to select it successfully to create a clear enough area to import the new background.

You will need a picture of a "good" blue sky, preferably with a few clouds.. You can either take it yourself or obtain one from another source.

  1. Open PSE on the Expert tab
  2. Open your picture with the owl and the picture of "good" sky
  3. With the sky picture open, go to Select>all, then Edit>copy to place it on the clipboard
  4. Open the owl picture, then Edit>paste. The sky should come in on a separate layer. Set the blending mode of this layer to darken. With the handles of the move tool, fit the sky over the owl picture.
  5. Set your foreground color chip to white
  6. Activate the Gradient tool, and select a Foreground to Transparent (linear) gradient. While holding down the shift key, drag the gradient up from below to the top of the tree line
  7. Open a blank layer above the sky layer
  8. Activate the Brush tool, and with a soft, white brush at reduced opacity, gently paint the horizon  -  usually the horizon is a tad lighter.

"I need to update my ACR for Elements 2018, can anyone point me in the right direction and what is the latest version number?"

Hopefully someone will come along with this information.

2 replies

MichelBParis
MichelBParis
Legend
August 5, 2018

ligennroc  wrote

Hi

I need to update my ACR for Elements 2018, can anyone point me in the right direction and what is the latest version number?

Which camera model ?

PSE2018 can't be updated to newer than ACR 10.2.

FAQ: Will Photoshop Elements work with my camera, or Why won't my raw files open?

L
ligennrocAuthor
Inspiring
August 5, 2018

Hi Michell,

Once again thank you for your input.

I am using a Nikon D500, Elements 2018 & Windows 10.

I can't find what version of ACR I have but I believe Elements 2018 shipped with 9.12.

If, as you say 2018 is compatible with 10.2, how do I update?

hatstead
hatsteadCorrect answer
Inspiring
August 5, 2018

ligennroc  wrote

I want to preserve the owl and the foliage which form part of the background and replace the blown sky with an imported sky background.

The existing foliage is so ragged that I can't seem to select it successfully to create a clear enough area to import the new background.

You will need a picture of a "good" blue sky, preferably with a few clouds.. You can either take it yourself or obtain one from another source.

  1. Open PSE on the Expert tab
  2. Open your picture with the owl and the picture of "good" sky
  3. With the sky picture open, go to Select>all, then Edit>copy to place it on the clipboard
  4. Open the owl picture, then Edit>paste. The sky should come in on a separate layer. Set the blending mode of this layer to darken. With the handles of the move tool, fit the sky over the owl picture.
  5. Set your foreground color chip to white
  6. Activate the Gradient tool, and select a Foreground to Transparent (linear) gradient. While holding down the shift key, drag the gradient up from below to the top of the tree line
  7. Open a blank layer above the sky layer
  8. Activate the Brush tool, and with a soft, white brush at reduced opacity, gently paint the horizon  -  usually the horizon is a tad lighter.

"I need to update my ACR for Elements 2018, can anyone point me in the right direction and what is the latest version number?"

Hopefully someone will come along with this information.

hatstead
hatstead
Inspiring
August 5, 2018

This is the sky picture that I use for this purpose. I don't recall where I obtained it, but you are welcome to use it.

    L
    ligennrocAuthor
    Inspiring
    August 5, 2018

    Hi hatstead,

    Thanks for your help and the sky file.

    Our South African skies tend to be a little more intense!!

    I will give it a go and let you know what I achieve

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