Another B & W effort

Very busy

The blotchiness is down to histogram stretching. I reckon Brian started with an 8-bit JPG. Double bad move.
1) 8-bit doesn't like being pushed around - you get posterisation
2) Blue channel in JPG stinks as it only saves 11% of it.

Best bet is to save from RAW at 16-bit TIFF, then you can shove it around to your heart's content in Photoshop

Still, if you can't get away from the posterisation, the trick is to add some noise to that area, then it'll soften the posterisation... there was a tutorial somewhere or other on the web

HTH!
Matt

You could always paste in some clouds from another photo. We won't tell anyone!

Nope......16-bit Tiff from SP3, just can't get the look I want without getting posterization

That's cheating

On Tim's suggestion I delved into my archives to find a suitable sky.
I had this shot, 33rd shot taken with *istD in July 2004, I've cloned
out a couple of telephone wires, see if you can spot where.

Hi Brian..

cheats never prosper an' all that..

Now you have to change the direction of all the shadows so that they fall into line with the sun.

Have a happy Saturday, with PS.

Cheers

Liam

I wondered who would be the first to comment on the shadows , that's one of the reasons why I didn't try it with the OP. beyond my PS skill I'm afraid so I won't be doing it again