Replacing a boring sky??

[yappiez]

Hi all,
My first try using Aurora from Digital Element. Objective was to make the sky more interesting yet appear real. Final pic was also sharpen, curves and resized in PS7.

So, am i successful?? Does it look real? Please comment.
Thanks.

[me_wrestler]

yappiez,
It looks pretty good to me. How long did it take you and how complicated is the software?

[yappiez]

software doesnt seem very complicated although there are many options to play with. You can even have sun, stars or water if u want.
I took about 10 minutes to generate the clouds i want and another 15 to paste the original foreground onto it. There should be an easier way.. i haven explore enf yet...

Anyway, I was just thinking, judging from the angle of the shadows, the sun should be on the extreme right. Is it still possible for the clouds to appear dark when facing the sun?
If they are rain clouds, shouldn't they be in bigger chunks?
Oh my, I need to get out more......

[yappiez]

Sometimes you might have a pic with beautiful sky but the foreground is yuckie...

Time taken 10 minutes using PS7 & Aurora.

[me_wrestler]

What I've done (and still do) is take a bunch of stock pics of the sky. I try to get a few every time I go out. Then I can use these in Photoshop to replace pics with poor skies. The technique seems to work fairly well and is easy to do. The hardest part is choosing the replacement sky.

[hpklahn]

m.w. - Can you share your method of replacing the sky with the stock skies you have been collecting. I'm basic using PS Elements. I have started a collection of interesting skies when I see them. Unfortunately, in my area we often have overcast and unintersting (and blown out) skies this time of year, especially in the morning. I'd appreciate any help you can give. Henry

[me_wrestler]

Actually skies are one of the easier things to replace in a picture because there is normally not alot of detail that needs selecting. I will try to put together a tutorial with screen shots and see if RVB will post it this weekend. As far as not having a large amount of stock skies, most people (including myself) would be more than happy to share stock photos like that. I will try to choose a few good all pupose ones and send them to you full size so you can use them.
Colin

[hpklahn]

Thanks Colin. I'll look forward to it. Henry

[BytePhoto]

me_wrestler,
Thanks for proposing a tutorial for sky replacement, it's a great idea.
You can send me the screenshots etc to my email account found in my profile.

[me_wrestler]

Will do. I will try to get it to you this weekend.
Colin

[drlynnmc]

I know I for one look forward to the tutorial, and would also be glad to share some stock sky photos. Most of my current ones are Dark blue sky, white cloud variety, don't have much in the way of clouds and rainy skies, but should have plenty of chances for those over the next few weeks.

[Augie]

know what I'll be doing this weekend
Thanks so much for sharing......it's what this forum is all about...we 'pool' our creative talent,

[Bob Kirkwood]

Thanks to M.W. for an excellent idea. I've found this to be one of the things I want to do most often. I have started my "Skies" folder and look forward to the tutorial.

I'm sure there is an easier way than my clumsy "peek and poke" attempts at this task.

[me_wrestler]

Sorry I haven't been able to finish the tutorial yet but should be done soon. I got a bit wrapped up with football and senior pics.
Colin