Dramatic sky

[P Plates]

Just watched a video tutorial about adding drama to a sky so had to have a go. Just converted to b&w using Silver Efex Pro 'full contrast and structure' preset then blended with the original image using luminosity. The guy doing the tutorial used a different method to convert to b&w. The first is the raw image, then what I ended up with.

[Alan]

Certainly a dramatic change Gabby

Without seeing the original, it's sometimes hard to know where reality lies

With this one, I'm not sure the high drama sky matches the flat foreground, but that's just me. Maybe that's the strength of the photo? - oh, I don't know anymore Charles is the sky expert.

If you, or others, were after a quick, dramatic sky and have PS.. Duplicate Layer and choose Multiply Mode - adjust opacity to suit and selectively erase the foreground. (another secret revealed - it does pay to read the fine print here And before Charles looks at this, you may want to attend to the horizon

Well done Glenda. It's great to see someone going the extra yards in finding out how to do stuff on-line

Cheers

[sejac]

Great stuff P Plates. Well done with the tutorial and the result as applied to your shot.

[P Plates]

Thanks Alan and Charles. I did run the level over my horizon when cropping but it looked like the wharf was crooked then. Would probably have to warp or skew it and didn't bother as was just really playing - sorry Charles. I thought the ocean looked way too sharp and edgy so masked the effect out, possibly a lower opacity would have worked better. Your method worked really well and would be much quicker - thanks for the tip Alan.