need help with pp

chrismoore

I took this a couple of weeks ago, the remnants of an abandoned old launch on the river. When I was shooting I felt the scene was quite dramatic, but I don't feel as though I've portrayed it very well in the photo. Here are color and b&w versions. Any suggestions on how to better portray it? different pp? thanks ahead for the input.

Awais Yaqub

I like it especially the BW version

hawkeye978

I think you have the right elements there between the leading lines from the pier and the dramatic sky. What may be lacking is some depth in the picture. What I would suggest is to try and lighten the front pier support and increase just it's contrast. I think that will help add a sense of depth in the picture and increase it's interest. If you shot this RAW then you could try increasing the 'Fill Light' slider to increase the exposure in the darker areas. Or go into Photoshop and begin masking that area and increase the exposure and contrast.

You also clipped the pier on the right side. I don't know if this was the crop or just the way the picture was framed. If you can, it might help to give yourself some space to the right of the pier.

chrismoore

Thanks for the input. I masked another layer to increase the brightness/contrast in the foreground as you suggested. On the right track?
Chris

hawkeye978

chrismoore wrote:

Thanks for the input. I masked another layer to increase the brightness/contrast in the foreground as you suggested. On the right track?
Chris

That is brighter. What does the color look like?

chrismoore

I don't know why it looks so bright in the post. The original is more subtle. I just converted the psd to jpg, uploaded to smug and pasted the link, not had that happen before. anyway, here's the color.

jeffmeyers

There's a lot to like about this. But I think ultimately the eye is draw out of the frame to the right because the front pilon is cut off. Do you have an image that includes the entire structure?

chrismoore

Here was my first processing of it. I redid it because I thought the crop would draw more attention to the foreground, but I see what you're saying that the pier being cut off is distracting.

Kwarta

chrismoore wrote:

Here was my first processing of it. I redid it because I thought the crop would draw more attention to the foreground, but I see what you're saying that the pier being cut off is distracting.

This one has my vote.

jeffmeyers

chrismoore wrote:

Here was my first processing of it. I redid it because I thought the crop would draw more attention to the foreground, but I see what you're saying that the pier being cut off is distracting.

Oh yes. I think this is much better!