How to smoothly blend exposures? (brushwork)

[The Matt]

So I have 2 exposures, ground and sky that I'm blending to create 1 image. I'm creating a transparent layer mask on my sky layer in the transitional zone I'm using a wide, soft edged brush on a really high transparency setting. Things aren't coming out quite like I want, looking a bit unnatural like I can see the joins. My goal is that I don't want anyone to be able to see what I've done. Shouldn't look HDRed in any way. Could anyone give any tips of how to get a seamless looking result?

Here's a couple of versions of one I did lately so you can see what I mean

 

[JasonRS]

Can you post the originals so we can see where you're starting from

 

[EOS_JD]

Yes post your 2 originals and we can explain

 

[fezzr]

What does the layer mask look like? is there a strong black line or a nice blend of grey?
What blend mode are you using?

 

[joescrivens]

Best technique I learnt was doing a gradient.

Apply a layer mask to the top image then draw a gradient with black and white across the blend.

Should work a treat

 

[swanseamale47]

Best technique I learnt was doing a gradient.

Apply a layer mask to the top image then draw a gradient with black and white across the blend.

Should work a treat

I argree the longer the gradient the smoother the blend (more gradual fade from one to another) a short drag of the tool will give a sharper join

 

[The Matt]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Can you post the originals so we can see where you're starting from

Here you go:

What does the layer mask look like? is there a strong black line or a nice blend of grey?
What blend mode are you using?

The mask in the 1st version is pretty abrupt transition. In the second it's a lot softer and wider. I reckon the abrupt one looks the better of the two. I'm not sure what you mean by blend mode.

Best technique I learnt was doing a gradient.

Apply a layer mask to the top image then draw a gradient with black and white across the blend.

Should work a treat

Ooh, I must figure out how to use that feature. I didn't know it existed til now.

 

[The Matt]

Ok, found the gradients tool. Much quicker and easier!

 

[joescrivens]

its a neat trick eh!

 

[The Matt]

Sure is! I think I'm set until comes the time that I need to do a similar trick across a line that's not straight, or not along a line at all.

 

[EOS_JD]

Sure is! I think I'm set until comes the time that I need to do a similar trick across a line that's not straight, or not along a line at all.

You can drag the gradient to any angle And you can add more than one to any image.