Added a new sky but.....

[Clockdoc I]

I have been working on this photo over and over trying to get a nice balance between the sky and the church. What I would like to know is if there is anyway to completly eliminate the line left when you erase the background ( if you look at this blown up you can see a line especially around the first cross). I would also like to know if there is anyway to add shadows. I use PSP ultimate. As always any critique would be ok.
Thanks all in adv ance for any help.





Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd like to see the original sky, to see what it was supposed to be.

My big problem with the sky is the lighting: the cloudy sky doesnt fit with the brightly lit church.

[private]

I agree, but I like how you matched the sky's refelection in one of the windows.

[Clockdoc I]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I'd like to see the original sky, to see what it was supposed to be.

My big problem with the sky is the lighting: the cloudy sky doesnt fit with the brightly lit church.

Originally Posted by private

I agree, but I like how you matched the sky's refelection in one of the windows.

It was a completely overcast day so I exposed for the church hoping to add the sky later. Here is a link to the original.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/...bb297c92_b.jpg

[KathrynWilson]

Try for something a little simpler and more basic - easier to avoid the little lines and things then.

[OsmosisStudios]

I now this doesn't help you for this image, but in the future

Take 2 pictures. Expose one for the church, the other for the sky. then merge them. That makes for a far more convincing (and easier) final product.

[xxpinballxx]

I dont think the lighting is bothering me...the sky directly in front the church maybe alot less clouds and more light shining.....
as for the line around the edge...when I cut out something I like to cut layer via copy then zoom way in and use the eraser with a softer edge and go around about 4 pixels at a time and get rid of the sharp edge....Or you can feather the edge from the get go when you select andcut the subject out.

[Clockdoc I]

Originally Posted by KathrynWilson

Try for something a little simpler and more basic - easier to avoid the little lines and things then.

That's good advise but I can never seem to do it. I start out trying to keep it simple but then just keep trying to do more once I have a descent result.Thank you

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I now this doesn't help you for this image, but in the future

Take 2 pictures. Expose one for the church, the other for the sky. then merge them. That makes for a far more convincing (and easier) final product.

I normally do bracket my exposure for this purpose, but it would not have helped here because it was a very grey day. When I took it I tought I would have to do something with the sky if the church turned out well. Thanks again

Originally Posted by xxpinballxx

I dont think the lighting is bothering me...the sky directly in front the church maybe alot less clouds and more light shining.....
as for the line around the edge...when I cut out something I like to cut layer via copy then zoom way in and use the eraser with a softer edge and go around about 4 pixels at a time and get rid of the sharp edge....Or you can feather the edge from the get go when you select andcut the subject out.

I tried feathering but that seemed to make the line worse, I could be doing it wrong I am not sure but the higher the feather number I used the more visable the line became. Your idea about erasing sounds like it takes time (which I don't mind) and patients. I will try it and see how it turns out. Thanks for the help, at least I know others do have trouble with this and it may just be I have to be patient and spend more time on it.