Sir Fallot wrote:
>The problem is that I don't seem to be able to create an accurate mask that allows the curves adjustment to only apply to the desired part of the image. (I've been trying threshold on the image then loading that as a selecction). Since this didn't work very well I've been painting a mask instead. Any better ideas.

Here's another quick and dirty method of masking for this image. Duplicate the blue channel (it has the biggest contrast between castle and sky):

http://www.pbase.com/pam_r/image/47796463.jpg

Go to Image>Adjustments>Levels and adjust so the dark portions are darker and the light portions lighter. Don't go too far or you'll lose edge and branch detail. There is a fine line between too much and not enough. Practice helps:

http://www.pbase.com/pam_r/image/47796467.jpg

With a black paint brush, paint in any light areas of the black portion. You want 100% pure black here:

http://www.pbase.com/pam_r/image/47796494.jpg

Then, using the dodge tool set to about 20-25% or so, dodge the sky area. It should be pure white and the castle portion pure black. To use the mask, activate it in the channels palette, then click on the dotted circle icon (load channel as selection). Activate a layer in the layers palette then click on the "add layer mask" icon. The finished mask:

http://www.pbase.com/pam_r/image/47796497.jpg

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Pam
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'art is working on something 'til you like it...then leaving it that way'