Help with the not so magic wand tool, I need to replace my sky!

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HrH_2002

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Patrick
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i'm learning how to use Ps CS4 through the restoration of old photos.

In the linked image (I followed how to insert images in FAQ with absolutely no luck - surely there's an easier way) I want to replace the small piece of sky with a gradient adjustment layer. I used the magic wand to select the sky, applied the adjustment layer which worked o.k. but it seemed to be applied under the dust, scratches and fly crap.

So to solve this I thought I could replace the sky completely over the sky in the photo to solve the dust and fly crap problem. But when trying to select the same area with the magic wand it selects a lot more of the image than when I first used it?? What would I have done wrong?

Any help as to what I should, could and can do would be so appreciated!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76305867@N08/6845830934/in/photostream/
 
Hi Patrick

There's a few things you can do
#1 frequency separation
#2 Use a smaller brush with your magic wand and if you hold down ALT you can take away from section
#3 Spot healing brush
#4 colour range
Also if you let members edit and repost you will see want can be done with it.
 
Last edited:
First of all, that's not a bad restoration attempt! Looks classic yet undamaged.

Here's a suggestion,
Add the gradient adjustment layer as a new layer. Select the brush tool & ensure it's white. Then 'colour' with the brush over the area's you wish the gradient adjustment not to have any effect. You can alter the brush size, hardness & opacity to your own preferences whilst experimenting. Let me know how you're getting on! Best wishes.
 
You could try using select via a colour and use eye dropper tool to select your sky colour?
 
Thanks guys. Shane if you're happy to do that then be my best. Sometimes following the pros are the best way to learn these things.

Thanks for the boast in confidence Ashly! There was old sticky tape marks and a bit of mold but the patch and healing spot/brush tools came through for me. Your way to sort out the sky issues sounds great I'll get onto and show you the results within a day or two.

Meanwhile, could you help me with some advice on restoring this image?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76305867@N08/6870346204/in/photostream

As you can see the guy on the rights sombrero is all washed out. I've tried adjustment layers with both levels and curves but I still cant get the little bit of definition I need to help bring it out - all up what can you do when its this washed out? What would you do if you were trying to restore the entire photo? The trouble with this image is the the guy on the left is the most important as is the guy on the right. What would you do if you were tasked to restore this image?

Thanks for all your advice!
 
Hi patrick

A quick 5 mins to do this with clone stamp and ajustment layer let me know what you think.
I will leave it up for a week than delete it.
6845830934_2bbee2ccab_b_copy.jpg
 
That looks great! So did you clone out the sky so it was all the one color without all the scratches etc. What adjustment layer did you use? I looks pretty darn good! Once you get it to this stage could you use a gradient effect on that patch of sky?
 
knowing that would make all my restoration work so much easier!
 
Hope this helps Pat

Done with CS4

First make a copy of the background layer and then click on the little eye on the background layer to hide it.

Zoom in to 400% and use spot healing brush where you can then the clone stamp tool to clean up the sky, start with a small brush first.

All adjustments are done from the layer panel and not the menu bar.
For this photo I clicked adjustments layer, curves and set the black on the little girl’s shadow, white on the woman’s white top, gray on the sand near the sea using the three eye droppers on the left hand side of the panel.
Make another copy of the background layer then filter, other, high pass set to 1 px
And change blending mode to soft light. You can then play with brightness and contrast or whatever else you would like to adjust and finish by cropping.

If i can help with anything else PM me and i will do my best to help


If you put "retouch" into google the second link is very good
 
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