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D R Smith
D R Smith
Known Participant
October 7, 2019
Question

Edit existing sky when there is a tree or bush with branches in the foreground. Photoshop CC 2019

  • October 7, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 3082 views

Hi.  I have been trying to figure this situation out by myself for a long time now by Googlng it, searching YouTube videos and even Lynda.Com tutorials but I keep coming up short.  I'm turning to you guys cause I don't know what else to do.

Scenario:  Landscape photo where I want to adjust the existing sky (I don't want to replace the sky, just adjust the existing one) and frequently there is a tree or bush with multiple branches sticking out in the foreground.  Obviously I can't use the quick select tool or it would seem any of the others to select just the sky without including parts of the tree branches.   Is there a way to select and edit the existing sky without effecting the tree limbs or bushes in the foreground?  Can anyone guide me to a tutorial or give me a hint, please?  I'm using Lightroom Classic then Photoshop CC2019 with the latest updates on a Windows 10 machine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks very much in advance.

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    5 replies

    S
    Sk360628910wrn
    Participant
    March 13, 2024
    IMG_20231210_124026.jpg
    dianer_macperson
    dianer_macperson
    Inspiring
    October 8, 2019

    Sample the colors from the actual photo. hold down shift to add more colors, option to remove. you don't have to sample from the color range preview box.

      D R Smith
      D R SmithAuthor
      Known Participant
      October 8, 2019
      I'm not sure which colors I am supposed to select, the sky or the colors of the tree in the foreground. Once I do select whichever colors I'm supposed to, what do I do then? Thank you so much for responding. I sincerelly appreciate it.
      Semaphoric
      Community Expert
      SemaphoricCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 8, 2019
      Assuming you're going to use an Adjustment Layer, add it with the selection active, and Photoshop will automatically use it as a Layer Mask.
        dianer_macperson
        dianer_macperson
        Inspiring
        October 8, 2019
         
        Updating Media
         
        Updating Media

          

         

         

          dianer_macperson
          dianer_macperson
          Inspiring
          October 8, 2019

          select>color range.

          sample your color, choose your fuzziness. 

          hit OK

          you can check with a quick mask if needed to brush away anything you don't want.

            Semaphoric
            Community Expert
            SemaphoricCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            October 7, 2019

            A mask based on the Blue cahnnel would be a good place to start. Paint out the areas in the foreground you don't want in the mask, and use Levels or Curves (via the Image menu), to get themask to nicely define the sky. You could also use Image > Calculations.

             

            Ive found it doesn't hurt to nave the mask extend slightly into the branches, but if it doesn't quite meet the branches, you can get haloes.

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