Country sunset

[lewch66]

Hi,

I took this picture with an S230 and edited it in Photoshop 7. I want to give it as a gift but first I would like to make sure its as good as it could be.

Any and all sugestions appreciated

Thanks

Here are two different versions:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1509752

or

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1515978

[eland]

Hi Jeff,
Understand that anyone judging your pic is only giving a person opinion.
I'm trying to see it as a greetings card and my original thoughts are rather negative.

I'll comment on a few points:

The fuzzy edge makes it hard on the eye. It would all depend on the color of the surrounding card.
White does not look good.

The Title (for me) is too bold and again the drop shadow is hard on the eyes. Not so much a shadow but seems I'm seeing double.

The image should be dominant, not the caption.
I'd have it very much smaller, off to the right and no drop shadow.

The Sun in both images is washed out. Just a white hole in the image.
If you are adept at editing you could run some clouds across the sun to make it more part of the image.

Personally, if you live nearby, I would shoot the shot again when you have a good cloudy sky.
If necessary wait till the sun is lower. Maybe even till it has disappeared behind the buildings.

My personal feeling is that you have done too much in PS. Fuzzy border, drop shadow, large text.

Remember the old saying.
Beauty Unadorned is Adorned the Most.

The image must be able to stand by itself.

This as I said Jeff, is just own opinion.
You of course are at liberty to give me the sign and totally ignore my suggestions.

Kind regards
eland