Darken sky - newby question!

[James]

This is my first post, and I am relatively new to digital workflow, so please be gentle...

I have a number of photos where the sky, although holding detail, needs to be darkened. I suspect that this will need to be done via a layer/adjustment layer.

I am comfortable with the concept of layers, but unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea how to go about geneating a layer or a mask in Photoline, and selecting the correct areas so that I can burn it in. I have spent a good few hours scratching my head trying to figure out which funcitons to use but have got nowhere. Is there a function which can automatically select an area to process, based on a coarse selection with a lassoo function for example?

I would be grateful if someone could let me know how to go about it!!

Thanks,

James

[Partha]

Hi James,

Open your image in PL. From the layer pull down menu, create a new layer. Make it RGB and allow for transparency. Depending on your image, make it 8/16/32 bit. Click on the Gradient tool and use a black/white gradient. Draw a straight line from somewhere in the middle of the sky to below the horizon. You'll have to play with this since I don't know your image. Change the layer mode to overlay and change the opacity to taste.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Partha

[Wayland]

I would also try with a 'soft light" blend mode. It tends to produce a more realistic effect in my experience.

Experiment with both and see which you preference.

[James]

Thanks for taking the time to reply folks, and sorry for my slow update

I have been making some progress - I have managed to apply a gradient, and the sky does darken. But - the contrast of the photo is then lowered.

I'm getting there. The particular picture I am trying to modify has a tree in the foreground, so it's not simply a case of darkening on part of the photo. Is there a function in PL that somehow works out the outline (or interface between the sky and the rest where different processing can be applied?

J.

[Partha]

Hi James,

The loss of contrast is my fault.

Instead of using a black to white gradient, use a black to transparent background gradient.

Add a layer mask to this layer.

If you have trees or such, you can use a soft brush with a large radius and gently paint with white over the layer mask to bring back the brightness in the tree. Start with low opacity and gradually work on increasing.

Since I don't know your picture, this is all I can suggest. I am sure other PL experts (which I am not!) can have other suggestions.

Hope this helps or let me know.

Thanks,
Partha