Looking for some photo-editing advice

I want to completely get rid of the long green 'band' that appears just to right of the upper leaf in this photo.

I have GIMP 2.6.11, and have tried a few different techniques so far, with less than acceptable results. I am a novice when it comes to photo-editing of this level.

What would be the best method to get rid of that - dodge/burn, clone, ?,

Other things that need done to this image - brightening, adjusting contrast, &c - I know how to do those.

Please note, I am not asking for someone to do the editing - just some advice on where to start.

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id personally try cloning, not having gimp i dont know what its capable of/what its limitations are, but if its anything like PS then cloning would be where id start.

Alexei is spot on, cloning was designed for just this kind of thing. Work slowly and in very small sections at a time, sampling from different parts constantly, the last thing you want is for the cloned section to be recognisable as a copy from elsewhere in the image. Very careful work will be needed at pixel level close to the edge of the leaf.

If you don't feel up to that, you could try desaturating just the blade of grass. It would then just be part of the background. You might even consider desaturating everything bar the leaves, but like Alexei, I don't have a clue what GIMP offers.

That should be an easy clone. i think if you just cloned it black it would be fine...

Lowner wrote in post #11347861
Alexei is spot on, cloning was designed for just this kind of thing. Work slowly and in very small sections at a time, sampling from different parts constantly, the last thing you want is for the cloned section to be recognisable as a copy from elsewhere in the image. Very careful work will be needed at pixel level close to the edge of the leaf.

+1, should be a fairly easy fix.

Thanks, to all, for suggestions.

I have done two different treatments:
1) Cloning out the offending piece
2) De-saturating everything but the leaves

The two treatments can be viewed in the 'Sundry' gallery at my web-site www.gjim.com

C&C welcomed.

If I had only taken an extra two seconds, to remove that piece of detritus, I wouldn't need to do so much PP. I know exactly what that little piece of green is, it's an artificial 'pine needle' from a 'mono-pine' cellular tower. And, .... I'm the guy responsible for the installation/maintenan​ce of that cell-site.

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What an eye-sore!

Lowner wrote in post #11358678
What an eye-sore!

Yeah, who put that funny green stuff on that lovely mast!

That looks terrible, sorry.
Around here in Phoenix, we have a few cell towers disguised as palm trees--looks tons better, but might be out of place in WY.

GJim wrote in post #11353082
I have done two different treatments:
1) Cloning out the offending piece
2) De-saturating everything but the leaves
C&C welcomed.

I like your shot but I actually prefer the cropping in the shot you posted at the top of the thread. That image is also darker than the one on your web site, isn't it? The one on your site feels a little pale. Good job taking out the green thing. (Ain't cloning great?) How come you left the little green squiggle?