Tips on this pic

[dultim8]

Hi.
I like this photo but feel that the sky is too blown out.
It was a real cloudy cold day with no definition in the clouds.
Can someone please help me out on how to make this pic better.

[FelixDeSouze]

I think this pic would certainly benefit from being in colour and also to bring the clouds out.. In HDR.. Can you go back and try that?

[chopper5654]

i dont really have a suggestion. i just wanted to say i like the open gate and the angle. well composed concept of leading us into the photo.

[pickupman92]

I'd try and add some recovery light in photoshop... all I can suggest.

[stsva]

I'd cut off the bottom of the image up to just below the top of the round piece at the right end of the gate. I think I'd try a sepia tone to get rid of the glaring white sky and give a little more "feeling" to the image.

[Bobinpeterboro]

Personally - I would go back and shoot again with different weather conditions if the location is anywhere near you. I would also try to open the gate more to prevent it interfering with the church and maybe try shooting from nearer the ground. It is possible to replace the sky but you need to be very careful choosing a sky which "matches" the rest of the photo. When I get pictures like this (Often) I use the first picture to help me decide what is better when I re-shoot.

[Flo]

Personally - I would go back and shoot again with different weather conditions if the location is anywhere near you. I would also try to open the gate more to prevent it interfering with the church and maybe try shooting from nearer the ground. It is possible to replace the sky but you need to be very careful choosing a sky which "matches" the rest of the photo. When I get pictures like this (Often) I use the first picture to help me decide what is better when I re-shoot.

Totally agree.As it is now, the photo lays very flat.

[jetcode]

The light is flat so you will never be able to obtain the multi-dimensional effect found in directional lighting. The most you can do is work with contrast and image framing. If you like the image print it and hang it. An image doesn't have to knock the socks off of everyone who sees it to have special meaning to you.

[dultim8]

this pic was shot in raw and i still have that file.
I cant really go back and shoot it again, well not in the near furutre anyway.
ill try the sepia and see how that comes out.
thanks guys.

[Flo]

Sepia won't help this one...chalk it up to a learning experience:D

[gonzogolf]

Regarding the sky, remember that there are times when the dynamic range of a scene exceeds the ability of a sensor to record it. If you want any shadow detail, you are going to lose the sky. Thats just the reality of it, especially if you shoot during the middle of the day. One solution would be to consider HDR where you blend 3 or more photos in one, but take care not to make it cartoonish.

[johnaengus]

I'd like to see more of the fence leading me into the picture.

[wem]

I would try a vignette and grain. That will give the sky more texture.

[stsva]

This is what I was thinking of.