INTRODUCTION - Here you will use the gradient filter to improve the sky.

OPEN PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS AND LOAD A PICTURE - Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key (Open) > navigate to a pictures folder and click a picture (preferably with a dull sky) > click Open.

CREATE A NEW LAYER – On the Layers Palette, click the Create a new layer icon (upper left on the Layers Palette) > name the layer Graduated Filter > press Enter key.

SET COLORS – Set the Foreground color sky blue and the Background color a much liter shade of sky blue.

GRADIENT TOOL – Select the Gradient Tool > click the Linear Gradient icon (at the top) > click Edit > place the mouse pointer on the word Location (becomes hand with double arrow) > drag to 95 > with Gradient Layer selected, drag from top of picture to bottom of sky (you will see sky blue on top fading to light blue at the bottom of layer.

MAKE ADJUSTMENT LAYER – Click the Create adjustment layer icon (black/white ball) > select Levels > click OK > click on the Layer Thumbnail (rectangle on the left) and drag the adjustment layer below Graduated Filter layer > hold the Alt key and click the line between the top 2 layers (activates the layer mask).

PAINT OUT UNWANTED SKY COLOR – Hold the Alt key and click and unclick the visibility eye of the Background layer (shows before and after the sky color change) > click the layer mask (right rectangle of the Adjustment layer) > make sure the foreground color is black and background color is white > select the Zoom tool > draw a rectangle about 1” square in an area that has unwanted blue > select the Brush tool > adjust the brush size with the “[ ]” keys > paint out the unwanted blue > hold the Shift key and drag when approaching an edge > if brush erases part of the sky, press X to put white in the foreground and paint back in the sky.

CHECK BEFORE AND AFTER VIEWS – Again, hold the Alt key and click the visibility eye of the Background layer to see before and after views. You may want to change the Opacity to about 70% to make the sky more normal looking.

CONCLUSION  - This is a very good way to convert a dull sky into a beautiful blue.  The lighter shade at bottom adds realism to the look.  The adjustment layer and layer mask have many other uses but the technique used here applies to all.

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