Any tips on improving realism?

Hi guys

First of all , I am not a photoshop user at all, I am a 3D-guy. But in this case I need some PS help.

This is a CGI plane on a picture background.
The CGI part is the grey plane ( a A-12 Avenger II )
This was all put together in the renderprogram I use.
Now, some people have given me the tip to do this in photoshop and compose it together.
Unfortunatly I am not a that big fan of composing
Because I notice when I render the plane on a black background, the ****pit get way too dark, and white make the plane too bright looking.

And then there is the tip of ' painting on the plane using tints of the background'????? What does that mean??? Can anyone give me some clear tips on how to do this? I really got no idea at all.
Does it work with costum colorpalets? And how would you get this palets from one image to the next?

This is the image ( make with the 3d program)
http://users.pandora.be/crimecity/images/A12render9.jpg

How about having the cord wrap around the plane that may help as the cord seem to go no where right now

Keyflash,

I have no idea what you are talking about, can you ( or anybody) else explain were you talking about???
If you are talking about the refueling boom then ... it is supposed to be there

I'm sure the refueling thing-a-ma-bob, is what Kayflash was talking about.... it does look a little strange. THat brings me to my biggest problem with this image.

The "angle" at which I see the plane differs from the angle at which I see the terrain behind it. Because of this it might help to scale the plane down a little and move it down and left a little to change this perception.

As far as realism, being from a 3d program I'm sure you are aware, realism comes from "texture" and "lighting". The background image has very little lighting compared to the plane. Along with that the background image has a sort of gray haze that isn't available to the plane.

Finally, the plane seems to have a really harsh edge, you might use a duplicate layer and guassian blur it you were in photoshopnker with lighting on the plane layer you were in photoshopAdd a few VERY translucent "cloudy" layers in front of the plane to add depth if you were in photoshop. Add a texture layer to the plane to admit that gray haze if you were in photoshop.

So, yeah! Photoshop is the place to do that. :D

Welcome to the group.

I updated it

http://www.lwg3d.org/files/1003768166.jpg

I think it looks much better now
All in Lightwave ( my 3d program) and 1 layer of noise.


Comments are welcome

umm.. should their not be a shadow on the stealth plane from the refueling appendage? Just a slit shadow would suffice.

Hmmm...

If you look at the angle of the OTHER shadows (hence, the shadows underneith both jets), you will see that the object of light is located in the upper right hand side "outside" the image. This would keep the shadow from appearing on the fueling jet, as it is behind (yes, that is behind and below, but still behind) the refueler.