Post processing composite

[torqueguru]

Hi buddies,
I have an assignment for the weekend from school. We need to take an image and make a composite with it. I picked two shots that i had clicked and combined them together.I added new sky, sun, light and shadows. Before submission, i would like to get critique from you guys so i turn in quality work, so please help me get an A

Started off with this image i clicked at Tahoe,CA



After compositing in the clouds, shadows, lake and sun and hills.



Thanks,
TG.

[vsa]

You did a good job. The blacks are a bit too dark for my liking but maybe there wasn't a whole lot you could do with the original.

Only thing I'd think again is the lens flare. Do you want it there? Although it gives the photo a bit more authenticity but.... I'd take that off.

[PhotoJunkieJen]

Man, I should take Photoshop lessons from you!
Nice work!

The car, in my opinion is a bit dark so it doesn't stand out quite as much, but I love what you did.

[wheelhot]

Wow, nice job, so where is the original sky picture?

[JerInTheBox]

Really nice work! My only suggestion would be to make the asphalt in the lower right (in front of the car) just a hair darker and more tinted to the sky colors. But then I like having a little detail there to balance the frame, so maybe it's fine as is.

[torqueguru]

Thanks everyone, I am looking into the issues pointed out by you all. Will work on them and upload the latest one soon.
Thanks,
TG.

[windrider86]

I'd like to know how you got the new sky in behind the trees with such precision.

[Japaslavian]

Originally Posted by windrider86

I'd like to know how you got the new sky in behind the trees with such precision.

It's really easy to put skies behind trees when they're as dark as the image he started with.
Basically, put your sky on a layer above the car image and set the blending mode to multiply. Then just mask out the foreground, like the car and the road in this shot. Voila!



This took about 2 minutes to do
You can mask the sky back in very softly on the car to show the reflection if your sky covers the whole image as well to make it more believable.

[windrider86]

Thank you. I have tried on numerous times but alsways have a little grow around the tree edges. will try that next time!

[torqueguru]

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

It's really easy to put skies behind trees when they're as dark as the image he started with.
Basically, put your sky on a layer above the car image and set the blending mode to multiply. Then just mask out the foreground, like the car and the road in this shot. Voila!



This took about 2 minutes to do
You can mask the sky back in very softly on the car to show the reflection if your sky covers the whole image as well to make it more believable.

thats exactly what i did!