The Inca Trail

[HurricaneBob01]

I took this photo on the Inca Trail while in Peru.

I'm happy with the composition of this one, but I still feel like something is lacking. Please let me know what you think.






Also, I took this one, and am incredibly disappointed with how it turned out. Any feedback is appreciated.



Thanks,
Bob

[StephenBatey]

On the first, I'd suggest that you treat the foreground to a curves adjustment to increase the contrast, followed by an increase in saturation of the same area, and finally finsh with a levels adjustment. The end result has a more brightly sunlit foreground, which I think is what it needs.

I made all the suggested adjustments, so I can judge the effect. I can't post here because I haven't worked out how you can post a photo...

[HurricaneBob01]

I appreciate the input... I made some quick changes in Photoshop. Is this what you meant?

[StephenBatey]

That's very close to my version. How did you post it? On second thoughts, don't bother answering. In the posting rules at the bottom of the screen, it says that I can't post attachments, so I suppose that that's the problem.

More importantly, is this closer to what you wanted?

[HurricaneBob01]

I can't post attachments either. I had to upload it to Flickr and link it.

That is much closer to what I wanted - big improvement over the original. Thank you!

[StephenBatey]

I've had a play with the second one, but it's not so easy to explain the steps, and without an end result to show I won't attempt it.

The reasoning behind what I attempted was that the image strikes me as either a moody aetherial image (in which case it's too dark in the foreground) or a moody and dramatic image (in which case I'd start by looking at the contrast in the foreground).

Take those as suggestions to be disagreed with.

[Markulous]

A very 'quick & dirty' edit of your second image but wondering if this is more what you were after? This version pixellating (due to edit of a small upload) but it gives you an idea?



Dodge and burn but mainly dodge some light into the midground.

[HurricaneBob01]

Thank, Markulous.

That is definitely an improvement!

Looking at the photo, I feel like I probably should have included more of the foreground.