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[kuul13]

This picture I took last long weekend when we visited Long Beach Island, NJ. It was a wonderful day with sun hitting straight. I am not sure if this picture has the correct composition or is missing something that I can correct with PP?


EXIF:
Exposure: 1/125s
Aperture: 1/19
ISO: 400 (forgot to change from previous shoot, yet again)
Focal length: 20mm
No flash

[oneronnalee]

All I can think of in terms of the composition is that the photo should be straightened (the horizon line is crooked) and that the subject could use a little more space above his head. This can be achieved very easily with Clone Tool as you've got a very clear sky to work with. See below.

I'll leave the rest to the experts

[kuul13]

Thanks oneronnalee for your time and comment. Points noted and was able to straighten up the horizon but not sure how to add more space on top without changing the size of the image (6x4)? I guess we need to extend the image from top and left proportionally. Right? If so, then how can I extend the image on left to show the water and sand extended? I would appreciate if you can put some steps how you extended the top portion with cloning? Also, how to extend from left side.

Also, wait for other experts to comment on the image to see if anything else is missing or need correction. Thanks again!

[oneronnalee]

I'm guessing (hoping!) you have Photoshop? Here's the steps to what I've done:

1. Select Crop tool, on the Crop Toolbar you can select preset proportions reflecting some of the popular printing sizes. I'm afraid I don't remember which one I've selected, but there are several that are different in proportion from your original photo - I've chosen one which is slightly taller allowing more space above the subject (although you're right in that it could also be done proportionally upwards and left, but we'll get to that later - btw, if you ever want to crop but preserve the image proportions there's a buttong called "Front Image" on the Crop Toolbar - this will lock the proportions). You enlarge the crop area by dragging one of the corners, I dragged it upwards until the width of the crop matched the photo horizontally. Originally the crop area is always set to fit within the image size, but when you enlarge it and double click it to crop, it'll change the canvas size accordingly and you'll see a white rectangle (default background colour) above the photo (if the crop was enlarged upwards).

2. Now that you have the extra space, you can get cloning. You select the Clone Tool (looks like a stamp) and hold down Alt key. The cursor will change to crosshairs allowing you to select which area you'd like to "clone" the sample from. I'd also suggest setting the opacity to 100% (on the Clone Toolbar which will show up top) as you will be working on a pixel-less area of the image. Then, you let go of the Alt key and simply brush over the white part of the image - you'll still see a preview of the crosshairs showing you where the tool is sampling the pixels from. You just repeat this until you've covered it up.
3. This is optional, but if the sky looks patchy to you when you're done, you can simply go over it with the clone tool again, this time setting the opacity to a lower percentage (I'd say 50-70%).

And that's all there is to it. The same technique can be used with the vertical edge of the photo, but it'd be more tricky due to the various textures. Also, Clone Tool can be a bit tricky at first but once you get the gist of it it's the easiest thing in the world. If something's not going right (for example, it could happen that you accidentally clone your subject onto the sky) simply undo it and try sampling from another section of the photo.

You're welcome, and if anything's unclear just ask

Ronna

[kuul13]

Ronna
Firstly, thanks for your patience. Secondly, I appreciate you took out time to put these instructions to help me edit the picture using cloning. You are a wonderful person.

Here is my version of the edit.. the sky on top of his head is not that clean as yours but still I like it.. Also since I added more space on top and cropped proportionally the 2/3rd rule doesn't apply much. To put the guy on 2/3, I have to get rid of those lovely patterns on the sand (the dark foot holes). Which I think looks great on the frame. Isn't it?

Please give me your valuable comments on how overall picture feels to you?