Skys - the editing possibilities

Can someone tell me how to improve boring skies without importing a new one, thanks.

And Azz - can we have an editing section please

We have a tips and tricks section Snapper
http://www.yophotographer.com/section.php?f=9

i have different cloud brushes in CS3 and often make a new layer and add them on.

Oh Sorry, from the heading notes I thought that was only for adding your tips & Tricks not for asking questions, so confusing till you get to know. Thanks anyway I will try a bit of painting.

I'll add some thread prefixes to the tips secition:

Tip
Tip Request

It was originally just for people to post their tips but so many ask in there that I think the prefixes will help

Sorry Azz, sure it is only me who missunderstood but I have now found a way and if I can sort out what I did I will post that for others who may not know. You know what I cook like that to, produce a meal everyone loves and I can never remember how I did it.

The most obvious - a little dodging & burning, with some subtle use of curves?

Might be obvious to you but some of us are beginners or long term learners so perhaps if you would like to go into some more detail, thanks.

Thats if there is something in the sky to dodge and burn! LOL

Yes, found that if there is something in the sky you can mask and then correct the colour but when you are faced with a pale grey expanse it can ruin something you would otherwise be quite pleased with.

Sorry Snapper - if you have a featureless sky then there is little you can do except for put a new sky in. It is easy to do.

Using your magic wand tool in CS3 select your 'old' sky... and then from a new picture select the 'new' sky you would like in your original picture. Copy it - and then go to your original picture and select 'Paste into'. Press Ctrl T and resize the sky to fit in your original picture. Merge layers down or apply.... job done.

I hope this helps.

Dodging and burning tools can be used as brushes to make shadows/midtones and highlights lighter or darker. Thus for example you can burn the underside of clouds to give the impression of storm clouds.