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?

 

[PaulStat]

Can't see the 2nd image dude?

woops, fixed now

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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!