PLease C&C my post-processing

Hi all- I'm just starting to learn CS3, and wow, is there a lot to it. Anyhow, please let me know what you think of the image I've posted here- do the colours work? Is the contrast ok? Whatelse would you do? Anything different?

I've picked out the light swathe on the mountain and the brush on the left hand side of the frame for extra saturation and contrast, as well as playing with the highlights and shadows.

The original was shot in small jpeg and RAW. I've posted the untouched, straight from camera jpeg and the final processed from RAW.

Pretty nice job. One thing to watch out for., When you raised the blkue levels in your sky they also raised everywhere else. Look in the mountains in the dark areas they seem to have alot of blue in them. Be careful, when you correct one thing its a good idea to try to isolate it with layers and masks. Thats what i tried in my version. You are lucky to have been where you were to get that shot very pretty country.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Looking at the first image, it appears you have a spot on your sensor that needs to be cleaned. In the middle at the top of the sky.

Outstanding Lecherro- thank you so much!

Hawkeye- I took them out in PP- last time I tried to clean my sensor my 30D got a ticket to Canon to get repaired- I'm going to just heal spot dust from now on! LOL

Your edited version looks rather dark. I would bring out more of the detail in the mountains where the sun falls across them, and also the foreground foliage. Not sure what the sky and clouds were like in the raw file, but if the clouds are blown, I would paint in a new sky and some clouds. Something like this ...

Here is my take.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

The_Camera_Poser wrote in post #6916520
last time I tried to clean my sensor my 30D got a ticket to Canon to get repaired

Have you got a rocket blower? It's a very simple process that has practically zero chance of hurting anything and will remove 99.999% of all sensor dust. You don't have to touch the sensor.

It really is better and ultimately easier to get rid of the dust rather than editing, especially when the spots start falling on eyes and other difficult to clone areas.

I like your last edit camera poser.

Isn't Cradle Mountain the best place. However I have never seen it not shrouded in thick cloud or rain. Must try and get there in summer next time.

We've been lucky Susan- but living 45 minutes away helps!