In real estate photography, exterior images play a crucial role in attracting potential buyers. However, a dull or overcast sky can dramatically reduce the visual appeal of even the most attractive property. The good news is that you can now make skies pop - without needing to use Photoshop. This guide will show you how to replace sky in Lightroom using its latest AI-based features, making your editing workflow faster and more effective.

Whether you're a real estate photographer, a photo editor, or a property agent managing images for listings, mastering this technique can significantly boost the quality and performance of your visuals.

Why Replace Sky in Real Estate Photography?

A vibrant, well-balanced sky can enhance the entire mood of a photo. Especially in real estate, visuals are not just decorative, but they sell.

By replacing or enhancing the sky in Lightroom, you can:

• Make properties appear more welcoming and appealing
• Add contrast between the building and the background
• Increase perceived property value
• Improve user engagement and click-through rates on listing websites

Additionally, replacing the sky in Lightroom allows editors and agencies to save time compared to exporting images to Photoshop.

Can You Really Replace Sky in Lightroom?

Yes, Lightroom Classic now offers an AI-powered "Select Sky" tool, which makes it possible to simulate a sky replacement directly inside the app.

While Lightroom doesn't allow you to insert a brand-new sky image like Photoshop does, it provides everything you need to:

• Select and isolate the sky automatically
• Apply adjustments that mimic a new sky
• Keep the editing workflow simple, non-destructive, and fast
  

For many real estate photo editors, this is more than enough.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace Sky in Lightroom

Here’s how you can replace or enhance the sky in Lightroom without switching to other software:

Step 1: Open Your Photo in Lightroom Classic

Start by importing your real estate image into Lightroom. Ideally, use a RAW file, as it retains more data in the highlights and shadows—especially useful when editing skies.

Step 2: Use the “Select Sky” Mask

In the Develop module, click on the Masking icon, then choose “Select Sky.”

Lightroom will automatically detect and select the sky portion of your image using AI. This selection is accurate in most cases, even around trees and buildings.

This is the first and most important step in learning how to replace sky in Lightroom efficiently.

Step 3: Apply Adjustments to Simulate a Sky Replacement

Now that the sky is selected, apply the following adjustments:

• Exposure: Increase to brighten a dull sky
• Contrast: Add depth and separation from the foreground
• Dehaze: Remove atmospheric haze and boost clarity
• Temperature: Make the sky warmer for sunset tones or cooler for a blue-sky effect
• Saturation: Enhance the color vibrancy subtly
  

Although Lightroom doesn't allow actual sky swapping, these tools let you simulate dramatic changes without compromising realism.

Step 4: Optional – Export to Photoshop for Full Sky Swap

If your client requests a specific sky (such as a sunset, dramatic clouds, or twilight scene), you can export the photo to Photoshop:

• Right-click > Edit in Photoshop
• Use the Sky Replacement feature
• Save and return to Lightroom for further adjustments
  

However, for the majority of real estate photo edits, full sky replacement isn’t necessary. Most properties benefit from subtle, believable enhancements using only Lightroom.

Best Practices for Sky Replacement in Real Estate Photography

Although enhancing the sky can improve an image, overdoing it may make the photo look unrealistic or even misleading. Therefore, here are some best practices to follow:

• Match the lighting and shadow direction of the sky with the rest of the photo
• Avoid overly saturated or dramatic skies that draw attention away from the property
• Maintain a consistent look across a full gallery or listing
• Use sky adjustments that suit the time of day and weather conditions naturally
  

These practices help maintain professionalism and trust, especially important in the real estate industry.

Lightroom vs. Photoshop: Which Should You Use?

Both Lightroom and Photoshop are excellent tools, but they serve different purposes in the context of sky replacement.

For quick edits and batch workflows, Lightroom is the more efficient option. Photoshop is better suited for specific client requests or marketing materials that require more creative control.

Conclusion

Learning how to replace sky in Lightroom can significantly improve your real estate photography workflow. With powerful AI tools and smart adjustment features, Lightroom offers a fast, efficient, and professional way to enhance dull skies - without relying on complex software.

More importantly, this technique helps create visually consistent, high-quality images that support your property marketing goals.

If you’re a real estate photographer or agency looking to save time and improve results, sky editing in Lightroom is a skill worth mastering

Read More

10 Best Photo Editing Programs for Real Estate in 2024
How Long Does It Take to Be a Professional Photography Editor?
AI Tools for Real Estate Photo Editing: Reinventing Property Marketing