replacing colourless sky

[suecan]

i know there are masses of other bits and pieces on previous forums about replacing skies, but although I've searched through them I can't actually find an answer to my question. I'm replacing a very grey sky with a blue with clouds sky I took for just this purpose. I'm following the section in PSE 6 for digital photographers by Scott Kelby (P312-314) My finished photo only has blue sky behind part of it and I can't figure out why. Both pictures I'm working with are in portrait mode and I think they need to be the same size so I've made them both 5x7. When I do that by going to image> resize I can make them both roughly 5x7 but the pixel size is different (one is 400 and the other is 285) If I make them both the same pixel size the dimensions of the one changes and is no longer 5x7.
I've done this before with other pictures with no problem.
Can anyone please give me advice?
Thanks
Sue
PS do you think this is the best method ( and not too complicated) for improving a very colourless sky with something more appealing?
Thanks
Sue

[frank abramonte]

If they aren't both the same size and resolution then you will have to scale (resize) the sky when you import it into the photo.
If you don't know how to scale post back.

[suecan]

Thanks Frank-you always come to my aid!
Do you do that by just grabbing the corners and dragging them?
Sue

[frank abramonte]

Yes, but don't forget to hold the shift key down or you won't keep the photo in proportion. It will either get tall and skinny or short and fat.
You should test dragging without the shift key to see what happens, you may someday fined it useful.

Forgot to include sample:
How to scale

Note that I imported a 3" x 3" 120 dpi into a 2" x 2" 100 dpi window. The image is too large for the new document size. It has to be resized.
Go to Image>Resize>Scale
When you see the bounding box position your pointer in any corner.
Holding the mouse button and the shift key down, begin to drag "inward to reduce the image" and "Outward to enlarge the image"
While dragging make sure to hold the shift key down so it reduces and/or enlarges in proportion.
When satisfied with the size release your key and mouse and your there.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1XEzVcUTl6f3SDHpifJ5u4PqOsWR21_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1XEzVcUTl6f3SDHpifJ5u4PqOsWR21)0

[Simenon]

A tactic I like to use for quickly resizing an image that I am going to copy into another work file is to open the image I am going to import and then go to Image » Resize » Image Size. This will open up the Image Size window. Leave this window open and go to the Window menu on the Menu bar. At the bottom of the menu list you will see a listing of currently open photos. Select the one you want to use as the object file (your original work image). Back in the Image size menu click OK. The image to be imported is now resized to the original image you are working with. Now use the move tool while holding the Shift key to drag your resized image on to the original photo to center it and place it on its own layer.

One caution is to be sure the two images have the same orientation - portrait to portrait or landscape to landscape or you may introduce unwanted distortions such as elongating a bird's beak for example. Of course, sometimes distortion may not make a difference when it is a matter of importing say a cloudy sky, but much depends on the pixel sizes of the originals and how apparent the distortion would be.

I use Elements 4, but I suspect the workflow is the same or similar in other versions of Elements.

~ Simenon

[frank abramonte]

What I like about dragging an image is that you can actually watch how it reduces and/or enlarges within the receiving window.
This allows you to stop at any time you find an acceptable cropping.
You can also move the image around the open window at any time to re-frame it, and then either quit or continue to scale the image.
Gives you the maximum flexibility.

[suecan]

Thanks Frank and Simenon for your help. To better see your screenshot Frank, I tried making the thumbnail larger but as with others I've tried nothing happens. I seem to remember something about right clicking on them, but can't do that with a Mac.
Now another sky replacement question. The method I asked about works for some shots, but here's an example of one where it really doesn't work partly because of the layer of hazy trees just below the skyline. What would be the best way to improve on shots like these?
NXicEKLFuYx]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1jV0...FuYx_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1jV05z3Y34EhQ2RHc8ENXicEKLFuYx_thumb.jpg)[/url]
Thanks
Sue

[ljameso1]

Dropping in a blue sky wouldn't look natural with the lighting on the foreground. Could try adding a photofilter adjustment layer to give some warm yellow or pink and paint it out of the foreground on the adjustment layer mask. Also to right click on a mac hold down the control key while clicking.