krugphoto Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Hi... I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to achieve a dark sky effect (either on camera or with Photoshop) with a b/w digital image. Any advice would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Photoshop's Linear Gradient tool is the ticket: http://www.arraich.com/ref/aatool_gradient6.htm You can combine it with the Magic Wand tool if you have subject matter in the sky area you don't want darkened: http://www.lonestardigital.com/blue_sky.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denisgermain Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Red filter or in Photoshop....keep most of the red channel for the B&W conversion. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam_r Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Use a polarizer and/or a graduated neutral density filter to darken the sky on camera. Then, as Denis said, use 100% red channel (or close to it) on the channel mixer for the sky. Mask out the foreground and run a separate mix for the remainder of the image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briany Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Note that all the suggestions assume you took a color shot. not sure if you did when you say, "b/w digital image." If you didn't shoot color, you're pretty much SOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Brian, I didn't assume he took a color shot. The Gradient and Magic Wand tools can be used with B&W digital images or scans from B&W film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krugphoto Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 I am speaking of converting a color image to b/w, and then trying to darken the sky. Sorry, if I wasn't clear enough. I will try all of the suggestions. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
400bpm Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Brian, I think your best course would be to use Photoshop's Channel Mixer adjustment layers to create two different monochrome layers (one for the subject matter/foreground and the second for the sky) and then use a gradient on the sky's layer mask to blend the two pieces together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josphy Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Shoot in color with a polarizer to get nice deep blue skies -- then when you convert to B&W you will have darker skies already...and can increase the effect by using the digital equivalent of yellow, orange, red filters, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_noble Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Not sure if the polariser is a good idea. A lot of BW relies on reflections and you are going to lose this if you try this. Im not saying you shouldnt but i believe its not the best idea to follow. ATM, red/orange filters are the best bet combined with careful curves adjustment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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