Sky Replacement V2

Hi everyone,

I made a thread asking for critique about my replaced sky recently and I think I've done a better job here so I'd love to know what you think. Since I'm not uploading a 5000px wide image this time I left the watermark off it as well.

First Attempt

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

Well, I'd say I prefer the sky of #2 and 3 (was the first the one with the original sky?).

I notice you did some color correction in 2 and 3 and I believe some added brightening in 3 which does improve things. I think the skin is still a bit too bluish but better than #1.

#1 and #2 are exactly the same image, no adjustments just replaced sky. Neither were the original sky though.

#3 is just a super quick couple of adjustment layers, I haven't actually edited it properly yet.

Needs a watermark. : )

Seriously, having the cloud-line run parallel to the dune and the model seems a little odd to me. Now that you have a mask, can you show us an example where the clouds don't match the other angles so exactly?

I'm anxious to see your crop. I think that will be as important as everything else.

To me the sky in 2 is nicer than number 1, but it also takes my eye away from the subject. For me, the sky in 1 helps me focus on the person. Also the models skin looks quite blue, I especially notice that on the 3rd picture on her right arm (please check yourself, I'm using an uncalibrated monitor).

OK, once I loaded them up and compared, 1 and 2 have the same foreground, so I'll vote for 3!

cacawcacaw wrote in post #11845922
Now that you have a mask, can you show us an example where the clouds don't match the other angles so exactly?

I've always had the mask? I don't quite understand what you mean in the next part though.

scotthidley wrote in post #11845936
To me the sky in 2 is nicer than number 1, but it also takes my eye away from the subject. For me, the sky in 1 helps me focus on the person. Also the models skin looks quite blue, I especially notice that on the 3rd picture on her right arm (please check yourself, I'm using an uncalibrated monitor).

My goal is to just make the sky look like it was seriously like that in real life so yeah. Thanks for the reply.

tonylong wrote in post #11846018
OK, once I loaded them up and compared, 1 and 2 have the same foreground, so I'll vote for 3!

1 and 2 exactly the same just with a different sky which is what I'm comparing and looking for feedback on. 3 is just 2 with 2minutes worth of processing.

Once again I need to stress that this ISNT about the general processing and it is about the sky. I'm yet to do my colour corrections and general processing so please everyone don't comment on that stuff.

CallumPhoto wrote in post #11846140
... I don't quite understand what you mean in the next part though.

Sky number two looks good except the clouds sort of form a halo around her face. (Sort of similar to the first photo where the clouds almost look like they're reacting to air currents coming off the dune.)

I know that you're concentrating on the sky perhaps the sky replacement should come after the other processing, particularly the crop. (The crop I like eliminates most of the sky.) As someone mentioned before, too bad her elbow is buried in the sand. It almost looks like she's using it to keep from sliding down the dune.

All that said, I really like the natural tones you captured. Now that we can see the image with some color, I really like much of this shot.

Edit: Hey Callum, your website is great - very authentic! I really like your blog!

Edit 2:

drdiesel1 wrote in post #11846152
Her arm looks like someone from the grave is reaching out and grabbing her by the head ...

sue.t wrote in post #11847748
... she looks like she needs to pee and is holding her legs in that position to hold it in. Honestly, that was my first impression. But it would take a woman to understand, cause we've all been there. ...

Haha, this might be the last time anyone says they need an extremely rough critic. : )

2. and 3 after processing is much nicer.

I still say she looks uncomfortable.

I think the bright, busy sky detracts from the subject. I'd go simpler. WB is also off. (I know my masking on this is no good. Just a quick illustration.)

Disregarding, color, composition, lighting, etc., the masking and what not of the grass line at top right gives the edit away to me. There is an abrupt increase in blur in the grass, and a bit of cyan/greenish tint in the clouds there. I think you can pull off #1 most easily as being real, if you matching lighting.