Tutorial: How to Change the Color of the Sky in Adobe Premiere Pro

Hey there! Have you ever wanted to change the color of the sky in your videos? Well, you’re in luck because I’ve got a tutorial just for you. In this article, titled “Tutorial: How to Change the Color of the Sky in Adobe Premiere Pro,” I will show you a simple and effective technique to achieve this effect using Adobe Premiere Pro. No sky replacement is needed! Throughout the article, I will guide you step by step, explaining the process and showcasing examples. So, if you’re interested in adding an epic and vibrant touch to your videos, stay tuned and let’s dive right into it!

In this tutorial, I’ll be introducing you to the technique of changing the color of the sky in your videos using Adobe Premiere Pro. We’ll take a look at how to apply the effect, create a mask, and adjust the colors using the Lumetri color tools. Additionally, I’ll provide tips on feathering the mask to achieve a natural look. Whether you’re looking to create a stunning sunset or add a unique color effect to your footage, this tutorial is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. So, let’s get started and bring your videos to life with vibrant sky colors!

Tutorial: How to Change the Color of the Sky in Adobe Premiere Pro

Introduction to the tutorial

Hey there! Are you looking to add a touch of magic to your videos by changing the color of the sky? Well, you’re in luck! In this tutorial, I’ll show you step-by-step how to achieve this effect using Adobe Premiere Pro. Whether you want to make a blue sky look like a beautiful sunset or completely transform the colors, this tutorial will guide you through the process. So let’s get started and make your videos stand out!

Steps to change the color of the sky

Here are the steps we’ll be covering in this tutorial:

  1. Import the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro
  2. Add the Lumetri color effect
  3. Create a mask for the sky
  4. Adjust the temperature, tint, and exposure
  5. Feather the mask for a natural look
  6. Preview and adjust the color

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Import the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro

First things first, we need to import the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro. Open up Premiere Pro and create a new project. Go to the “File” menu and choose “Import” to import your footage into the project. Select the file or files you want to work with and click “Import”.

Step 2: Add the Lumetri color effect

Next, we’ll add the Lumetri color effect to the footage. In the “Effects” panel, type “Lumetri color” in the search bar. Once you find it, drag and drop it onto the clip you want to change the sky color for.

Step 3: Create a mask for the sky

To isolate the sky and apply the color changes only to it, we need to create a mask. With the clip selected, go to the “Effect Controls” panel. Locate the “Lumetri Color” effect and click on the triangle next to it to reveal the effects. Look for the “Opacity” section and click on the pen tool icon to create a mask.

Using the pen tool, draw a rough mask around the sky. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure it covers the majority of the sky area. Pay attention to the edges and extend the mask out a bit to allow for feathering later on.

Step 4: Adjust the temperature, tint, and exposure

Now comes the fun part – adjusting the color! In the “Effect Controls” panel, you’ll find various options under the “Basic Correction” section. We’ll primarily be using the “Temperature”, “Tint”, and “Exposure” tools to achieve the desired effect.

Start by increasing the temperature slider to give the sky that warm orange look of a beautiful sunset. Play around with the settings until you’re happy with the result. Then, adjust the tint to add a touch of pink color to the sky, further enhancing the sunset effect.

Step 5: Feather the mask for a natural look

If you take a closer look at the mask, you’ll notice that it may appear jagged and unnatural. To fix this, we’ll feather the mask, giving it a more seamless and natural transition between the sky and the rest of the scene.

In the “Effect Controls” panel, locate the feather tool and adjust the feather value. Start by turning it up to around 130 and see how it looks. If there’s still a noticeable difference in color at the horizon, increase the feather value further until you achieve a smooth and realistic transition. Experiment with different values to find the perfect balance.

Step 6: Preview and adjust the color

Now that you’ve made all the necessary adjustments, it’s time to preview your clip and see how it looks. Play the clip in the preview window and make any additional tweaks if needed. If you’re satisfied with the result, congratulations! You’ve successfully changed the color of the sky in your video.

But what if you have unstable sky footage with a moving camera? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Handling unstable sky footage

Sometimes, the sky in your footage may not be as stable as you’d like. Perhaps the camera was moving, causing the mask to shift. In these cases, we can use keyframes to keep the mask in place. Here’s how:

Step 1: Add the Lumetri color effect and create a mask

Drag the Lumetri color effect onto the clip with the unstable sky footage. Create a rough mask around the sky using the same process as before.

Step 2: Set keyframes to lock the mask

At the beginning of the clip, set a keyframe for the mask by clicking on the stopwatch icon next to the mask settings. This will lock the mask in place for that specific time.

Step 3: Adjust the mask throughout the clip

Go to the middle of the clip and select all the points of the mask. Drag them up or down to match the movement of the sky. Repeat this process at different points in the clip to keep the mask aligned with the shifting sky.

You can also do the same at the beginning of the clip to ensure the mask stays in place from the start. Select all the points and adjust them accordingly.

Using rotoscope for more precise masking

For even more precise masking, you can use the rotoscope technique. This involves tracing the outline of the sky frame by frame to ensure the mask stays accurately aligned throughout the clip. While this method requires more time and effort, it guarantees a seamless and realistic sky color change.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You’ve learned how to change the color of the sky in your videos using Adobe Premiere Pro. By following these steps, you can add a touch of magic and create stunning visual effects. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique style.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Stay tuned for more tutorials in the future, and make sure to subscribe to my channel for all the latest updates. Happy editing!