Opinion needed

[PaulStat]

Took this picture on the weekend, some of the feedback given was about the burnt bit of sky. Someone did show me an edited version which basically got rid of the whole burn by cloning some cloud over.

Now I could see their point but I quite liked the drama. So here's the original shot

Here's the suggested edit someone else gave

And here's a further play from me

Which is best?

 

[Phate]

Can't see the 2nd image dude?

 

[PaulStat]

Can't see the 2nd image dude?

woops, fixed now

 

[Hodders]

Prefer the 1st one !

 

[Phate]

Gotta say I prefer the last image, I like the blown bit in the sky - Adds to it I feel.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

1st and 3rd look the same to me, but that is definite;y better than the edit.

I don't mind a bit of blown highlights to be honest, I think it's a great shot.

 

[PaulStat]

1st and 3rd look the same to me, but that is definite;y better than the edit.

I don't mind a bit of blown highlights to be honest, I think it's a great shot.

If you look carefully the 3rd has had some more cloud cloned over part of the blown highlights.

 

[Paul11]

yours defo better than the edit

 

[PaulStat]

To be honest the more I look, the more I like the original best, yeah I know technically speaking the highlights are blown the most in that version. But I really do think it adds the most impact.

 

[Phate]

To be honest the more I look, the more I like the original best, yeah I know technically speaking the highlights are blown the most in that version. But I really do think it adds the most impact.

Just because the technicals isn't what people normally go for, doesn't mean it's bad

I think the blown adds to it

 

[fozzybear]

1st one is much better than the edited version. The water reflections don't look great in the edit.

 

[lucklessloser]

The first picture is great imo, the blown highlights add to the shot, i wouldn't change it - i like it!

 

[Raymond Lin]

The blown sky gives it a point of direction and focus in the distance. Rather than a vast sky, you have a sunset in it. Without the blown sky your eyes look at the foreground/wave and then moves around the sky a lot.

 

[Beasty]

Wouldn't change it personally, although 3rd image is a good compromise, the second image looks too bright or overexposed, plus yeah less dramatic.

 

[a1ex2001]

Some people can be well over the top about blown highlights, yes if the whole sky is one big blinky or a brides dress then thats a problem but if you shooting a sunset then not having some blown highlights would seem more unusual to me than having them.

 

[martinturner]

It's a really lovely image Paul!

Personally speaking; if it were mine, I would definitely try and soften the burnt bits. Yes, I see why some will say it adds impact, but I think some of that is due to comparing it with a poor edit (not your one). I do agree that a burnt sky in some occassions can add drama but personally I think it would need an amazing burst of light with some rays.

I think your version is considerably better than the edit, but what if the edit was the same as yours but with a marginally softened burnt patch? Would everyone still feel the same? I had an image not that long ago which had this very same issue; my edited version is definitely better.

We are talking about a very minor suggestion though, as the image as a whole is excellent.

 

[dannyjo22]

I really like the modd of the first one, really prefer the colours and the darkness of the pebbles to the left. The last image has that too but I much prefer the sky in 1st image.

Nice picture

 

[A.N.Other]

Either the first or the last - not a huge amount in it for me.

The second is really let down by the processing - very washed out and lacking in contrast. If that were processed the same as the other two it'd be easier to compare the skies. Though saying that, I'm sure most people wouldn't change their opinions, as the open bit gives some depth and leads you in to the image.

 

[PaulStat]

Thanks all much appreciated, Raymond you summed it up perfectly as to why the blown out area works, not something I thought of but you're right.

Martin I'll probably try a couple more things including your recommendation, but so far I just keep going back to that original shot. So either my PS skills aren't quite up to the mark or there's some truth in the saying "If it aint broke...."

It's funny, I'm a member of a few dedicated photography forums, but I respect the opinions of people on here much more, and this is a sub forum for a computer hardware site!

 

[cumulusjames]

Took this picture on the weekend, some of the feedback given was about the burnt bit of sky. Someone did show me an edited version which basically got rid of the whole burn by cloning some cloud over.


Which is best?

I like the sky in the first one, however I like the clarity of the hills in the middle one and the beach in the last one. Id like the picture if you some how keep the dramitic mean looking sky, which I guess is the pictures main appeal, but achieve a clarity of the hills and brightness of the beach.

I like these sorts of pictures for desktop backrounds. May we see your final edit?