Once Upon a Time

[Sleeping Gryphon]

Was out tooling around yesterday and got this picture of a dilapidated and discarded old boat. The original picture didn't even come close to conveying what I "saw," so I used PSPxi to touch it up. I used a cross-processing on top of a light night filter, then adjusted some shadows and midtones in the background. All techniques I've never used before! Does anyone know how I could better enhance the detail on the front deck of the boat? My other question is, does this convey the sense of starkness and forgottenness that I'm trying to portray?

Also want to express my joy at discovering this forum, my interest in photography had waned for some time and I'm excited to find it's coming back! Thank you all!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11603636@N04/2280432912/" title="Once Upon a Time... by The Sleeping Gryphon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2280432912_07d89f67be.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="Once Upon a Time..." /></a>

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 75 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/2 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

[photofun]

This is an interesting shot. So offen we see things that are in disrepair and miss the character of them. I like the post processing you have done with this. As for the detail on the deck you could try selecting it and adjusting that part separately or as a new layer. I'm not real experienced with this but it may help.