Simple Trick For Better Sky Replacements With Silhouetted Trees

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I have a simple trick to improve the quality of sky replacements for silhouetted trees.

The Problem

Complex details like small tree branches are challenging for sky swaps. Sky Swap AI does an admirable job to detect these types of objects. Yet the masks tend to taper off toward more clustered branches, leaving the tone and color of the original sky more prominent. Depending on the replacement sky you are using, the difference can be obvious and unpleasing. In this example, the softer pale cyan sky is obviously not the same tone as the rich blue of the replacement sky.

The default results from Sky Swap AI is less crisp around larger clusters of branches.

After modifying the mask, more of the replacement sky is visible through the silhouetted tree.

The Solution

After using Sky Swap AI in ON1 Photo RAW, open the masking area and work with the Levels controls. Adjust the middle control point of Levels toward the left. The middle point changes the transition point from shadow to highlight. I like to work visually with the grayscale mask view turned on.

With a quick adjustment of the middle control of this slider, you’ll get a crisper mask and a more pleasing sky replacement result.