Singapore

[HansE]

My first reasonable attempt at luminosity masking. This demonstrated how little I know. But there is hope. May I live long enough.

[Isac]

Great you're having a go Hans. You should post the original so we can see what you did.

[HansE]

Original as it came out of the camera. Taken from hotel room through the window.

[Isac]

Hi Hans,
Here's a quick tut on the way I would make this one pop!

1. Open in ACR and set the following under the BASIC tab:

2. In PS, run the Create All Luminosity Masks action.
3. Click the Channels tab then click on the Lights (2) channel icon.
4. At the bottom of the panel click on the dotted circle icon to make a selection of Lights (2).
5. Click on the RGB layer at the top of the panel to reset all colours, then click the Layers tab.
6. At the bottom of the Layers panel, click on the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon and select Curves...
7. Double-Click on the Curves 1 thumbnail which will open the Properties box.
8. Click ONCE only on the diagonal line and then at Input: type 190 and at Output: type 95.

That should enhance the colours in the sky.

Bonus stuff:
If you want, you can add some drama by making the clouds a bit darker.
In my Luminosity action on my website, I have added a Dodge and burn action, which creates a mid-grey layer that you can paint on with the Dodge tool OR Burn tool.
Start by deleting your existing one in your Actions panel, then download the new one and install it. (Item 19, page 2)

So, to darken the clouds, run the new Dodge & Burn Layer (50% Grey) action.
This will make a new layer and fill it with mid grey (#808080) with a blend mode of Overlay.
1. Move the grey layer to the top of the layers panel (Ctrl+Shift+]) and if it's clipped, release the clipping mask (Ctrl+Alt+G).
2. Select the Burn Tool. On the tool settings bar at the top, select a soft round brush, Range: Midtones / Exposure: 35%.
3. Select the Dodge and Burn layer and on the image, paint over the clouds to darken them.

If you want to brighten the buildings, use the Dodge Tool and paint over the buildings.
Tip: Use a large soft brush, about 1/2 the height of the image and set Range: Hightlights / Exposure: 25%.

Here's the final PS screen: Remember, you can adjust the Opacity of any layer to lessen or increase the effects.

Let me know how you get on and/or if you need any help. Cheers, Greg.

[HansE]

Working my way through.

That is the action set I have been using.
I have a long way to go.

[Isac]

Good stuff Hans, I'm sure you will get some good results. if there's anything you need explaining in the tut, just holla!

[HansE]

I need to know more about the use of masks. It is a long road. A formal Tafe course would be the answer.
Do we still have a tafe?

[Isac]

You don't need a course for masking Hans. Here's a couple of tuts that explain it all. It's a very basic thing to create a mask and it's the only way to hide parts of a layer.
I'm always here if you want to ask for help

Easy Masks
Easy Layers
Layers & Masks This guy uses Lightroom in the beginning but all that can be done with Photoshop.
Layers & masks Australian !!
Layer Masks Photoshop Cafe

[HansE]

I may be a while.

[Isac]

Only way to learn Hans, take your time.