[aboekman]

I didn't have much time to set up this shot as I was pulled off from the highway. The clouds were just so great that day I had to stop.

Let me know what you think about this. Is it effective?

-Andrew

[JMitchell]

I like it but if you cropped tonnes off the top and made it a letterbox crop, then I think more emphasis would be on the tones on the landscape, which I think is the strongest element of this picture along with the trees.

This is what I meant, I know the border's a little much, but the black helps to enhance the light tones. If you like it I'll tell you what I did

[Larne]

I agree that a crop would help the picture but I'm not happy with yours JMitchell. By putting the horizon in the middle you split the picture in two so it's not really a picture of either the sky or the ground. And while the tree is on the right-hand third it's too central to really provide a focal point.

I would crop the sky down to the top of the blue section and crop the ground up to remove the lighter band across the foreground which I think is distrating. That would leave the horizon close to the lower third with the two trees close to the intersection with the right-hand third.

What does work on JMitchell's picture is the way he has boosted the contrast and saturation. That really adds punch to the image and I would love to see that effect with the crop I suggested.

Still, it's a good picture as it stands

[JMitchell]

Interesting points, although I really did try not to put the horizon in the middle, and I don't think it is. There's slightly more foreground than sky, but we all have different views

[aboekman]

I agree that a panoramic crop is adds a lot of drama to the photograph. I too was also struck by the contrast boost. I had already done quite a bit of post-processing so I think I was afraid of overdoing it but I don't think that your edit Jack is overdone. I like the border as well. I might try for a little less extreme crop that includes a bit more sky.
-Andrew

[b.van_der_dylan]

really great pp work there Jack and pano works for me. well seen Andrew I like the comp , one of those shots where you can have real fun playing around with post processing,plenty potential

[JMitchell]

Glad you liked it, after thinking about it I think I made it a little too enclosed cropping off all that sky, so I'd like to see a version with more. I just did levels for the ground, then added a black gradient on "Soft Light" mode for the sky, and varied the opacity accordingly. The sky went an odd blue colour (including the clouds, don't laugh ), so I desaturated it a little bit.

[Whipspeed]

I have to say as well, Jack's modification has lifted what really is a fairly mundane shot into something that works for me. The close crop and other adjustments work very well.

[Markulous]

Have to agree that Jacks's edit works well - I'm usually against centre/50:50 shots but have to say it works well here - and of course the kick in the levels/curves/saturation lifts the shot

[JMitchell]

Thanks for all the votes of confidence. But one thing, can I just say IT'S NOT IN THE MIDDLE! I purposely didn't put the horizon slap bang in the middle, even if it meant sacrificing some sky. Thank you.

[Markulous]

The Centrists are petitioning for a "within 10%" to be admitted into the 'Centre Is Where It's At' definition - but hey, I don't go along with their thinking, so I'll agree with you, Jack

[JMitchell]

lol damned centrists.

[John F]

A very pleasing picture. I particularly like the trees on the RHS. For me the large expanse of sky well portrays open country side on a summers day in the UK.

John