Puff the Magic Dragon in the clouds

[RePete]

This was was taken July 4th, a short while before the sun went down.
I just got a Canon S3 IS a few hours ago. Now if I could just find someone to help me use it! The only thing I don't like is the power line across the top.

[stevesutt89]

I do like the effect that the pink clouds appear to be coming out of the chimney of that house. But the photo is quite dark, such that it would be difficult to ressurect from this state. I'm not that great on high level photo editing, but i'll do my best here. My advice is to do a much tighter crop on the main house, cutting out the other house on the right and the tree on the left. Then i'd clone out the powerline with the clone tool, which shouldn't be too difficult as the stuff next to is pretty much one colour. Finally, i'd try to brighten up the shot, which might prove difficult, as it is so dark. The only way i can recommend is to use the brightness/contrast tools, but there is probably a better way which hopefully someone will enlighten us on............anyone?

[marc_714]

I do agree it is too dark . I feel the issue is that in real life the scene is quite stunning - but ut is something that does not transfer to photography well. I do it all the time and am usually not happy with the outcome

[hitkaiser]

In a high contrast scene such as this the photographer usually has to either expose for the sky or the buildings

In this case its neither resulting in an overall dark image, I think it can def. be saved in photoshop by selecting the sky and adding some more light into it

[jiminyClickit]

RePete,

If I had to file this, it would go under "Great Interest, Personal." You have the memory (as marc_714 suggests) which fills in the light issues. Fixing it will give you some practice with lighting, not necessarily a better memory. I'd be pleased to keep it as a good cloud photo.

[RePete]

Thank you for all of your comments. Seeing as I am just really starting to take photography more seriously, rather than a snap shot here and there, I can use all of the help and encouragement I can get. Like most things in life, Practice, Practice Practice!

Here is an attempt to crop and add less shadow and more contrast. The first pic that I took before the one originally posted showed the house great, but th sky/clouds were washed out. Guess I just need to keep trying, with different settings, or take less "high Contrast" pics.