First post, in need of help

[zaner]

First off, I just wanna say hello to everyone. I recently bought the 50d kit and so far I love it. Last weekend I was out at the lake and noticed the northern lights so I decided to grab my camera and see what I could do. Its not my best but I really think the photo has potential. My problem is that I have no idea on PP but would really like to give this picture to my father as a gift. Below is just the jpeg version but I was wondering if anyone is willing to help me out and do a bit of PP for me. I would love to see what someone with some real experience can do with this photo

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q217/zaner300/IMG_0754.jpg

[reddyroc007]

you should turn on the image editing option under your 'edit profile' options. sorry i cant help with the PP.

[zaner]

no one?

[Picture North Carolina]

There's really not much that can be done with this image. It's basically two color and there's not much to work on. You can always crank up the saturation and contrast a little.

I did notice that there seems to be what looks like a little lens distortion in the upper-right corner. Seems a little soft up there and it appears to be a little stretched. You might use DPP's correction feature. Plus, I would clone out that one reddish bright spot at the left. Can't tell what it is. A planet or perhaps a group of hot pixels.

[chadgeek]

Sorry in advance cause I don't know what color these lights are supposed to be, but I straightened the horizon and removed the lens distortion, used noise ninja to help smooth out some noise.

For what it's worth...

EDIT, the image I uploaded has more jpg artifacts than when in my photoshop. I can email you the jpg instead if you want.

[Picture North Carolina]

Karl Johnson is a member here, and he does great work with auroras. I didn't post this link before because I assumed he would chime into this thread. I'm surprised he has not. Check out his work (http://www.synergystudiosphotography.com/fine-art/aurora-borealis/) and it may give you some ideas.

BTW - good edit, ChadGeek

[zaner]

Thanks ChadGeek. That looks great.

CannedHeat thank you for the link. Karl's work is amazing and inspiring.