Sky Replacement
Post-Processing & Editing | 7 min read
A grey, overcast sky can make even the most beautiful property look dull and uninviting. Sky replacement is a common and accepted practice in property photography, as long as it's done well.
Photoshop has a built-in Sky Replacement tool (Edit → Sky Replacement) that works remarkably well:
3. Choose a sky from the built-in library or load your own
5. Click OK and fine-tune with masking if needed
Photograph good skies whenever you see them:
Shoot at various focal lengths and orientations. Store them in a dedicated folder for easy access.
Key Takeaways
- Sky replacement is accepted practice but must look natural
- Match the lighting direction and colour temperature of the new sky
- Photoshop's built-in Sky Replacement tool works well for most images
- Build a library of good skies photographed at various times and conditions
- Check edges carefully, trees and rooflines reveal poor replacements