Free Photoshop Sky Overlays

May 11, 2016 18 Comments

Free Photoshop Sky Overlays

photoshop sky overlays

You may have figured this out already, but I love post processing. I love spending time in my digital darkroom with the music blasting in my headphones and then getting all sorts of creative. I think of it a bit like painting, just on the computer and with pictures.

I get asked all the time how I overlay skies, so I thought I would share a couple tips with you on how I photoshop a sky as well as offer a couple video tutorials below to further help you achieve a strong image with a sky overlay. 

Photoshop Overlay Tip #1

When overlaying a sky to an image, be sure to watch how the light falls in the image and then choose a sky that compliments the lighting. A daytime image will probably need blue skies rather than an evening sky depending on the direction of the sun. A cloudy, overcast day gives a little more flexibility as you can overlay a blue sky, an evening sky, or a cloudy overlay and it usually looks great. (Just be sure to match up the light and shadows)

 change background sky on picturecloud overlay

Tip #1 Choose a sky that compliments the lighting.

how to photoshop sky overlay

Photoshop Overlay Tip #2

While I will be the first to admit that I LOVE overlaying skies to my images, sometimes they aren't needed. Take this image below as an example. The sky is blown but my eyes are drawn to the subjects. I think that adding a sky here would distract from them rather than adding to the image.

Always ask yourself if adding a sky will improve the image. Will it add to the image to make it stronger?

how to photoshop

Here's another image that had a bit of the sky already just straight out of camera. I didn't want to add anything to it as I felt the image was strong enough on it's own.

shopjeanphotography tutorials

Photoshop Overlay Tip #3

And lastly, it does take some practice so I recommend having some fun with it and pull some images out and give it a go. Check out the videos below to see how I apply them in photoshop. 

Practice, practice, practice!

Download 5 Fabulous Skies Here

Subscribe to our blog and get more free sky overlays and photoshop actions to practice with. Then you can follow the video tutorials below to practice! Free Download Sky Overlays
Photoshop Video Tutorial Example 1

Here's a short video tutorial as well on applying actions.

How to Photoshop a Sky from Jean Photography on Vimeo.

 Photoshop Video Tutorial Example 2

 

Get Jackie Jean's Sky Overlays Complete Collection Now!

Are you ready to get all of Jackie's beautiful sky overlays so you can use them in your photos? Click here and use discount code "BeautifulSky35" during checkout to take $35.00 off the Sky Overlays Collection. Hurry though this offer expires Sunday. Checkout now and start adding gorgeous skies to your images today!

 

Want more freebies? Click Here www.presetsandactions.com

Looking for Sky Overlays? https://shopjeanphotography.com/blogs/the-blog/72768325-how-to-replace-a-sky-in-photoshop-with-a-sky-overlay

Looking for Bokeh Overlays? https://shopjeanphotography.com/blogs/the-blog/articles?preview_key=08fa559bf7fbd9ace420c38c8fe35626

All products below are not to be sold or re-distributed in any way. Content copyright Jackie Jean Photography.





18 Responses

Tania
Tania

July 06, 2017

Im on the trial with Photoshop from the Adobe Cloud. Will this tutorial work with the photoshop?

Thank you,

Migdalia
Migdalia

June 09, 2017

Love your work and images. Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your work, as they are beautiful. I’m a beginner and I love learning from your work, as well.

Paula
Paula

May 17, 2017

Thanks so much for the tutorials, although I try my best to shoot gree SOOC but I got yout sky overlays but without you tutorials would’ve had no idea how to add them into a photo. Thanks Thanks!

Priscilla
Priscilla

February 12, 2017

Can these sky overlays be used in Lightroom?

Susan
Susan

December 31, 2016

I have tried this before, but it only works if the subjects are not actually in the sky you are replacing. Otherwise, it looks really, really fake. Yours don’t, however. They look great! How do you do such a good job of selecting just the subjects?

Jovy Thomas
Jovy Thomas

December 02, 2016

Thank you so much

Zady
Zady

November 08, 2016

Beautiful work Jackie thanks for Sharing!

Robin
Robin

October 03, 2016

Love your work Jackie! I need to save up and buy your actions. I was curious how much Ram you have on your computer? lol I have an IMAC at 24gb of ram and when i run actions they never run as quick as yours. :)

Olena
Olena

September 13, 2016

These are beautiful!
Donna
Donna

August 21, 2016

very beautiful. Thank you!

Kate Molloy
Kate Molloy

August 02, 2016

Do you have to have photoshop to use these overlays and trick of the trade?

Renata
Renata

June 21, 2016

Amazing !!! Thank u !!

Karen
Karen

April 13, 2016

Thank you!!! These are beautiful.

Donna
Donna

April 07, 2016

Love the flow and all of the results. Question though… where would one find a nice selection of Actions? Are these something that you offer?

Debbie
Debbie

April 07, 2016

Thank you so much for sharing your work. I love photography and have a little experience but not much. Loved learning from your videos.

Julie
Julie

April 06, 2016

Breathtaking!

Lauri
Lauri

April 06, 2016

Beautiful! I’ve been a pro so long, and I still have so much to learn. Thankyou!

TISH
TISH

January 24, 2016

these are beautiful! thank you!

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