Row Boat in NYC- Help improve and Critique

[EricKonieczny]

I really like this shot, and think the basic shot is decent but I know there is room for major improvement with some good editing.

I have already some some basic PS work, with cloning out a branch in the upper right corner and some dirty sensor spots.

I was trying to replace the sky with a bluer sky but I couldn't get the technique to work. I was using Scott's tecnique, and wasn't sure what X meant Here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62794



There is so much you can do in PS to improve a decent photo to make it great, but I guess thats where my limited PS knowledge limits me to making great shots.


WHat do you think of this shot and how would you make it better?

Thanks for your help.

Here is a large version 1500x1000 and and no compression, if anyone can help me and wants to use a bigger image.

http://www.ekreating.com/images/Rowboat_Big.jpg


http://www.ekreating.com/images/Row-Boat-in-NYC.jpg

[Vetteography]

Looks like you shot into the sun, and that washed out the sky and gave you that glare in the upper left. It probably would have been better had you taken that at the other end of the day where the light was behind you and let up the buildings. I would have tried to get the whole boat in the shot as well.

It is a cool looking shot, very dramatic. It has an ageless quality that makes it look like it could have been taken at any time in the last 150 years. (except for that building just left of center that looks like Russian construction.)

Now that I have spouted off like I think I know what I am talking about, I haven't the slightest idea how to improve that washed out area, that is something I am struggling with myself. I'll play with it and see if I can help, but don't count on much :p

Here's my best shot... not great by any means

http://www.bastaards.org/Misc/Pictures/Rowboat_altered.jpg

[dkord]

I decided to go with a different approach, since the boat was the a strong pressence I thought a bit of seperation would accomplish the same thing. I tried to be a little conservative in darkening the sky because it I didn't want dithering or to color cast the rest of the image. Plus it wouldn't look very natural.

Recropped, gaussian blur, added exposure to the boat, subdued the kids color in the background and skewed the buildings.

http://www.sparksonline.org/asm/dkord/Eric'sRowboataltblur.jpg

[EricKonieczny]

bump any more suggestions and critques