"Natural" Color Palette for Satellite Views

[a2area]

I am starting in on my second map and it is a satellite view topographic atlas style map. I have color problems seeing small swatches (it's called color-blend.. not blind) so i made this handy palette which helps me keep in a consistent range of semi-realistic colors and still have some playing room.

I sampled them from a couple satellite images that have "realistic" (to me) looking colors and arranged them in a (hopefully) logical array. I just used a darker grassy color with a reticulation mask for cultivated land.

I have attached an example of what my particular topo looked like before i used the palette and after just a little experimenting.. much richer color. It would appear that left to my own devices i have a fear of dark colors. I'm really just concerned with having text show up but i think that even with these richer colors that will be workable.

On the example i have a sample of some different ranges you can get by applying a filter to the adjustable layer and/or playing with it's opacity. I still have to do fine tuning and blending to make it look good but you can get the feel for the potential of the color chart for those of you who could find a use for such a simple tool.

Also attached is the Photoshop document with top layer designed to be adjusted.

Please let me know if this comes in handy for anyone.