Photo Discussion
Category: Before and After

To discuss a photo, sign up as a BetterPhoto member or log in.

On the Grand Parade


	On the Grand Parade --- At Valley Forge National Historic Park in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania ---------- To celebrate the signing of the French Treaty of Alliance, General Washington reviews the troops of the entire encampment May 6, 1778. The Grand Parade becomes a showplace for the newly trained and disciplined Continental Army – a tribute to Baron von Steuben’s intensive drilling. --------- Those pictured here are on a Sunday outing! --- This is a Digital Darkroom entry, demonstrating a sky-swapping technique that I learned at a recent Photoshop seminar (Dave Cross)in Philadelphia. I never would have attempted the difficult masking on this shot before the seminar. -------- Congratulations to all the finalists and participants in October's contest. -- Michelle Alton
	Before sky swapping If you have a chance to attend the "Maximum Photoshop" seminar (touring the nation), it's worth it, JUST for the masking techniques! More than worth the cost of the seminar! Michelle Alton

Michelle Alton

This technique involved working on a duplicate of the blue channel, and repetitively "applying image" in overlay mode until the sky was everywhere white. Then painting black over all the non-white areas. Finally loading the white areas as a selection. Extremely easy and cool method.

To love this question, log in above
November 16, 2010

- Carolyn M. Fletcher

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Crew: Volunteer

Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher
Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery

Doesn't sound that easy to me. Looks great, though!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Douglas Pignet

Nicely framed landscape Michelle...Well done

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Jack Gaskin

Wonderful Work. The Sky is certainly nicer ...
I was lost at the phrase Photo Shop.
Seriously I have #6 and have NO CLUE what to do w/it.
Will try reading a bit in Fla this winter and play w/it on the Mac/Book I plan on getting.

Happy Shooting
Clueless in Tech-no Land

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Aimee S. McMaster

...beautiful awesome pov, & framing Michelle...

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Jyri Vissak

Simple is beautiful!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Gord MacEachern

The sky really is a big part of this image Michelle, what a great job on this, well done!!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Alan L. Borror

Beautiful image and a wonderful sky replacement, Michelle! Very cool.

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Ron McEwan

Amazing work Michelle. I am overwhelmed with how much difference it makes in what impression you receive between the before and after images. WTG

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

- Linda D. Lester

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Linda D. Lester
Linda D. Lester's Gallery

Made a huge difference....great work!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Monnie Ryan

Easy for you, maybe, but I'd be lost at the word swap. Sure does make a difference -- terrific job!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Jack Ryan

Interesting technique...excellent result. Beautiful image.

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Mike Clime

Beautiful capture and the transplanted sky makes a big difference, Michelle! How about some detailed instructions?

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

John Connolly

Brilliant DD work here Michelle, I have yet to advance to this level of expertise in photoshop!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

David Phalen

Sounds hard to me!! Outstanding work Michelle!!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Renee Doyle

I don't quite understand the technique but you sure mastered it Michelle!!!!!!!! Unbelievable sky replacement especially with all those leaves!!! Awesome!!

To love this comment, log in above
November 16, 2010

Dick W. Wyatt

Well done.

To love this comment, log in above
November 17, 2010

- Robert K. Bemus

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Robert K. Bemus
Robert K. Bemus's Gallery

Great comp and editing, Michelle!!
That course sounds interesting...I can do a fair amount with lighting and colors in RAW processing in Photoshop but nothing like this...

To love this comment, log in above
November 17, 2010

Brett Dolsen

Wonderfull DD Work and composition Michelle!

To love this comment, log in above
November 18, 2010

Log in or sign up to respond or interact.