Potential Contest Photo - How can it be better?

[Maggie_M]

I am considering entering this photo in an upcoming contest but there is something about it that bothers me.The rock on the left has deep shadows, obviously I cant go back and re-shoot it (I have access to the place but not the conditions). Should I clone it out, lighten it up, leave it alone or find another shot to enter? Any and all input is appreciated!

Hand held
Polarizing filter
f/9
1/60 sec
iso 200
18mm

[equilution]

How about a crop? I cropped from the bottom left to remove the rock on the left, and just above the sandbar. It looked really cool!! Otherwise, I'd try to increase the exposure in the rock.

After cropping, I also rotated it about 20 degrees clockwise, and BAM! It looked awesome. If you'd like me to post it I will, but didn't want to do so w/o your permission.

[Maggie_M]

Originally Posted by equilution

How about a crop? I cropped from the bottom left to remove the rock on the left, and just above the sandbar. It looked really cool!! Otherwise, I'd try to increase the exposure in the rock.

Thank Jim!
Can I see your crop?

[equilution]

Originally Posted by Maggie_M

Thank Jim!
Can I see your crop?

Sure.

[Maggie_M]

While that does look cool, I think it totally changes the impact of the image.
I think I'll fiddle around with it in Photoshop and see what I can come up with.
I wish I had taken this shot at different exposures...
Thanks!

[equilution]

[QUOTE=Maggie_M;900478]While that does look cool, I think it totally changes the impact of the image.
I think I'll fiddle around with it in Photoshop and see what I can come up with.
I wish I had taken this shot at different exposures...
Thanks![/QUOTE

I increased the exposure of the rocks on the left in Lightroom, and it revealed some nice detail. That may be the key.

[Maggie_M]

I like that!
I think I'll clone out the sandbar.
I've never used lightroom, I have an old version of photoshop that I need to upgrade,what are the advantages of lightroom over photoshop?

[equilution]

Originally Posted by Maggie_M

I like that!
I think I'll clone out the sandbar.
I've never used lightroom, I have an old version of photoshop that I need to upgrade,what are the advantages of lightroom over photoshop?

I never really got that much into PS, except for a bit of Elements. I found it to be too cumbersome for what I wanted to do. I'm not into layering and all that stuff, plus you need a 2-week class to know how to use is effectively. Lightroom was easy to use from the get go. It's quite literally the sw version of a darkroom.

If you want to do cloning, I think PS has the edge. If you can do it LR, I have to discover how.

In your shot, I boosted contrast, then increased the exposure a bit in the clouds. I then reduced clarity to give it a soft, dreamy effect. Then, increased the exposure over the rocks.

Good luck with it!

[Maggie_M]

I actually took 3 university level classes in photoshop, so I'm fairly comfortable with the program.
Thanks for your suggestions!

[LenDog]

"My opinion". I think you're going to need the complete island in the background to make this work best, and as much of the reflection in the foreground as you can retain.

I like Jim's idea of bringing in the diagonal lines, it works great with the land formation on the right side of the photo, but you'll lose too much of the island and reflection in the crop.

I'd definitely want the sandbar out, but cropping elsewhere eliminates some great qualities in the photo.

In this version (hope you don't mind the post!), I cropped the sandbar out and lightened the rock to the left as much as I could in LR - not much, it's very dark, but eyes go to light anyway. I also added a GND to minimally decrease the brightness in the sky, that made a small difference in the lower clouds that enhances the horizon (near the bottom 1/3). You may want to work some GND options there.

I'm sure you've got more great critique coming on this one, and likely some better pp skills as well.