PP Help with Darkening Background

I'm having a senior moment.
All my attempts to darken this background has resulted in an unnatural halo around the dark limbs and subject. Could use a little help please.

Very clouds day. Sky was dark to medium gray.
Photo was over exposed 1.5 stops to get the subject exposed properly.

I am looking for a medium dark sky which was the conditions at the time.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com...Background.jpg

Larger version here. Please feel free to edit this photo.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com...Background.jpg

Thank you in advance for any help you could offer.

Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.
Here is an example of the halo edge I was talking about. Disreguard the trash on the tree trunk.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com...ky_Results.jpg

PS process was two layers one darken with levels and one with the proper exposure on the subject.
They using the Eraser tool going over the subject. But the halo around the owl and main limb is bugging the heck out of me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Singletracklovr

PS process was two layers one darken with levels and one with the proper exposure on the subject.
They using the Eraser tool going over the subject. But the halo around the owl and main limb is bugging the heck out of me.

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This is the same process I would use, with one major exception. Instead of using the eraser tool, I would add a layer mask to your top layer and then use the brush tool to mask out the area instead of using the eraser tool. Using a layer mask is much more flexible as you can adjust the opacity of the brush you use when masking the image.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

This is the same process I would use, with one major exception. Instead of using the eraser tool, I would add a layer mask to your top layer and then use the brush tool to mask out the area instead of using the eraser tool. Using a layer mask is much more flexible as you can adjust the opacity of the brush you use when masking the image.

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Hi Mike,
I'll try the brush with limited opacity.
That does sound like it would have a nicer edge over the Eraser tool. Thanks for the suggestion.

I have been experimenting with other methods.
Filter
Render
Lighten Effect
Omni
Adjusting ambient level and size.

Here's the result, still has a halo, however it's smoother.
http://gallery.photographyreview.com..._bg_render.jpg

I see your problem, it's doing the same thing for me when I try editing it.

Trying to understand why... it appears that the sensor didn't accurately register the light/exposure of the sky as it should when it transitioned from dark to bright. The areas next to the dark ones that should be blue (actually gray here) - just like the rest of the sky - but instead came out whiter/brighter. I'm wondering if this is a sensor flaw or something to do with lenses/light in general.. thinking about the light interference experiments we learned about back in physics classes.

Anyway, I see no easy way to edit it. You might have to mask off the dark areas and smear or clone (or ?) the normal sky color and exposure overtop the brighter areas. Very laborious.. I tried it very quickly .. attached here, and could definitely be better!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GB1

I see your problem, it's doing the same thing for me when I try editing it.

Trying to understand why... it appears that the sensor didn't accurately register the light/exposure of the sky as it should when it transitioned from dark to bright. The areas next to the dark ones that should be blue (actually gray here) - just like the rest of the sky - but instead came out whiter/brighter. I'm wondering if this is a sensor flaw or something to do with lenses/light in general.. thinking about the light interference experiments we learned about back in physics classes.

Anyway, I see no easy way to edit it. You might have to mask off the dark areas and smear or clone (or ?) the normal sky color and exposure overtop the brighter areas. Very laborious.. I tried it very quickly .. attached here, and could definitely be better!

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Hi Greg,
Thanks for the comments. I was hoping for an easy PP repair.
As someone who likes shooting wildlife in all conditions I'm just going to have to learn the limits of my equipment. I think that is why I like this hobby, you never stop learning.

It could be sensor issue. It was a very dark cloudy day snow had just stopped. I was over exposing by 1.5 stops and using a high ISO that may have also played a role.

I took a stab at it...took me about 30 seconds. Made 2 duplicate layers, underexposed one, and used the color selection to select and erase all of the sky from the other. Put that layer on top, covering the darker owl and tree, and filling in a darker sky. Thoughts?

For darkening background I always work with three or four layers of exposure. I work from dark to light and brush in lightly on each layer. It works well for avoiding haloing, but maybe ends up with a darker look overall than you want.