Dawn Over Sorrento - Just For Fun: Here's an image to have fun with testing you processing skills. Plus how you would interpret the scene to make the best of it. #1 is my too soft...

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Here's an image to have fun with testing you processing skills. Plus how you would interpret the scene to make the best of it.
#1 is my too soft attempt.
#2 is a .jpg from the original image with no other processing, for those who don't work in RAW.
#3 Is the unprocessed RAW file (RW2).
Enjoy!

#1

(Download)

#2 - .jpg

(Download)

#3 - RAW file
Attached file:
(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks for the opportunity!

From your raw file, I threw the kitchen sink at this one. I feel the sky may overpower the scene a bit too much in my version, but for your consideration:

PSE 13 basic edits, including dodging the ship and part of cliff, levels, saturation and more (many with layer masks to keep adjustments localized). Nik Color Efex: detail extractor, a warming filter, grad ND - again, some masking. Crop, straighten.

Please download for accurate view ;)

(Download)

angela k Loc: Long Island

Here is my take and thanks for letting me play Shakey!!
I used Topaz Adjust then added a few layers...

(Download)

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Linda From Maine wrote:

Thanks for the opportunity!

From your raw file, I threw the kitchen sink at this one. I feel the sky may overpower the scene a bit too much in my version, but for your consideration:

PSE 13 basic edits, including dodging the ship and part of cliff, levels, saturation and more (many with layer masks to keep adjustments localized). Nik Color Efex: detail extractor, a warming filter, grad ND - again, some masking. Crop, straighten.

Great work by your kitchen sink, Linda. Beautiful sky! The details in the cliffs are exceptional. Love it! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Shakey wrote:

Great work by your kitchen sink, Linda. Beautiful sky! The details in the cliffs are exceptional. Love it! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Super!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

angela k wrote:

Here is my take and thanks for letting me play Shakey!!
I used Topaz Adjust then added a few layers...

Wow! Drama! I love the way you sharpened the ship to give it eye catching impact, Angela. The soft vintage overlay of the background is outstanding (excuse my misnomer, which I'm sure is wrong).
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

angela k wrote:

Here is my take and thanks for letting me play Shakey!!
I used Topaz Adjust then added a few layers...

Shakey wrote:

Wow! Drama! I love the way you sharpened the ship to give it eye catching impact, Angela. The soft vintage overlay of the background is outstanding (excuse my misnomer, which I'm sure is wrong).
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I second your "wow," Shakey. I also love Angela's version!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Linda From Maine wrote:

I second your "wow," Shakey. I also love Angela's version!

Thanks for your kind comment on Angela's interpretation, Linda.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Results from jpg. Nine Layers:
Open in ACR and made adjustments to photo.
Made a Levels adj.
Added a Topaz 5 Clarity preset.
Cropped the photo.
Applied a LAB sharpening technique.
Adjusted the noise in the photo.
Made another exposure adj.
Perfect Effects 8 Adjustment darken brush.
Made another levels adjustment.
Adjusted for noise in the sky.

Final Editing Results

(Download)

angela k Loc: Long Island

Shakey wrote:

Wow! Drama! I love the way you sharpened the ship to give it eye catching impact, Angela. The soft vintage overlay of the background is outstanding (excuse my misnomer, which I'm sure is wrong).
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks Shakey!!! Glad you liked it, I had a lot of fun playing and since I just learned how to use layers, I just had to add some!!
Appreciate your 3 thumbs!!!
😊😊😊

angela k Loc: Long Island

Shakey wrote:

Thanks for your kind comment on Angela's interpretation, Linda.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks Linda, that means a lot coming from you!!
😊😊

angela k Loc: Long Island

Shakey wrote:

Thanks for your kind comment on Angela's interpretation, Linda.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Oops....

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

SoHillGuy wrote:

Results from jpg. Nine Layers:
Open in ACR and made adjustments to photo.
Made a Levels adj.
Added a Topaz 5 Clarity preset.
Cropped the photo.
Applied a LAB sharpening technique.
Adjusted the noise in the photo.
Made another exposure adj.
Perfect Effects 8 Adjustment darken brush.
Made another levels adjustment.
Adjusted for noise in the sky.

You nailed the problem, SoHillGuy. The original image is a 50/50 split between sea and sky. You chose the sea and ship as the subject.
I made the beginners error of not making the choice of sea or sky as the important feature before pressing the button. Oh well, there is always next time. LOL!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Entered in error

rborud Loc: Minnesota

Shakey wrote:

Here's an image to have fun with testing you processing skills. Plus how you would interpret the scene to make the best of it.
#1 is my too soft attempt.
#2 is a .jpg from the original image with no other processing, for those who don't work in RAW.
#3 Is the unprocessed RAW file (RW2).
Enjoy!

Thanks Shakey
For a bit of pre-coffee play. A minor effort.
RBorud

(Download)