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How to layer mask trees?...


randomtom

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I'm sure this is something that gets asked all the time, but after reading a couple of tutorials I'm still struggling to remove the sky from the trees and gaps in the bridge. Can anyone suggest a method?

b7d94a80e7fae1c28e84a95aab41d4e3.png

Thanks!
 
Thanks for the reply gedstar.

That is a useful video but I'm still having some issues with my image - I cant figure out how to apply the channel mask to just the trees rather than the whole image. One problem is that some of the sky color also appears in the water reflection which I want to keep.

Initially I started by using the Quick Selection tool to mask out most the sky with the intention of narrowing down that selection for the trees on the left, but perhaps I'm going about this the wrong way? Here is the original image, and I'd be grateful for further advice! Sorry - I'm sure I'll get the hang of this eventually...

bridge 2.png
 
OK

You could try using the Color Range Tool, what I did was duplicate the original Layer and turn off the original Layer. Highlight the duplicate Layer and made a selection of the top part of the sky and bridge with the Polygonal Lasso Tool
Then I went to Select, Color Range, you'll need to play around with the settings to get the best result
Untitled.jpg

After hitting Delete on the keyboard to remove the blue sky
Untitled1.jpg
 
Last edited:
I agree with Ged. I used a very basic alpha channel masking technique.

I selected and duplicated the blue channel.
I then added a Levels adjustment and increased the contrast.
I then inverted the image and used another Levels adjustment to increase the contrast.
Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 7.46.21 AM.png

I then used the Brush Tool to further whiten the areas I didn't want selected.
Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 7.47.50 AM.png

Inverted the image again, hit Cmd/Cntrl + and clicked the channels thumbnail to make a selection.
Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 7.48.48 AM.png

Clicked once on the RGB channel and went back to the layers panel.
Here's the selection the process created.
Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 7.49.00 AM.png

I then added a layer mask.
Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 7.49.18 AM.png

Screen Shot 2016-12-30 at 8.05.13 AM.png
 
OK

You could try using the Color Range Tool, what I did was duplicate the original Layer and turn off the original Layer. Highlight the duplicate Layer and made a selection of the top part of the sky and bridge with the Polygonal Lasso Tool
Then I went to Select, Color Range, you'll need to play around with the settings to get the best result


After hitting Delete on the keyboard to remove the blue sky
Excellent Ged..........this was going to be my next suggestion!
 
I tried Sam's method and it seems to have worked a charm! Thanks so much :) I've gone ahead and composited a star pic I had on file. It's obviously not perfect - I need more practice, and to get some better compositions next season!

bridge5.png

If anyone has resources/ advice for compositing images in this way and making them look 'natural', i'd be grateful if you could share. I was also wondering how I'd go about including some reflected stars in the water? Any other criticism is welcome. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I tried Sam's method and it seems to have worked a charm! Thanks so much :) I've gone ahead and composited a star pic I had on file. It's obviously not perfect - I need more practice, and to get some better compositions next season!

View attachment 70347

If anyone has resources/ advice for compositing images in this way and making them look 'natural', i'd be grateful if you could share. I was also wondering how I'd go about including some reflected stars in the water? Any other criticism is welcome. Thanks!

Isn't it great when a plan comes together !

You have done a good job - well done .:)

Cheers

John
 

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