Photoshop Clouds

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Here is a technique for using the cloud filter effectively.

1. New document. 500*500px, RGB colour, White background.

2. Hit "D" to reset the colour pallette to default B/W

3. Filter > Render > Clouds

4. Image > Adjustments > Levels [or Ctrl + L]

Settings:

Input Levels: 75, 0.58, 135
(put each number in each of the 3 boxes respectively)

5. Ctrl + U

Settings:

Colourized: Ticked
Hue: 205
Saturation: 70
Lightness: +70

6. Layer > New > Layer

7. Filter > Render > Clouds [or Ctrl + F to re-apply last filter]

8. On the layers pallette, click the eye symbol next to the newly created layer to hide it. If you cannot see the layers window, go Window > Layers. The newly made black & white clouds should vanish, and you will see the blue version you made previously.

9. Select > Colour Range

And choose an area of pure blue sky, Fuzziness set to 147

10. Make sure your new, grey clouds are visible again (click where the eye was and it should come back again), also make sure it appears above the blue sky layer (which indicates it is on top) and make sure the grey layer is selected and active.

11. Hit Delete twice

12. Select > Deselect [Ctrl + D]

13. Select the Move Tool [V]

14. Nudge the grey level down 15 or 20 pixels

15. Set the Opacity of the grey level to 50% (You will find it's slider at the top of the layers window)

16 Using a soft eraser [E], Soft Round 100 Pixels, Opacity 70%, rub away where the grey overlaps onto the blue, and any harsh horizontal lines that may have been created whilst shifting the layer downwards.

17. Do any touch-ups you feel necessary with the eraser.