When I refer to the "multitude of problems," I mean specifically those facing anyone who wants to make this image over without that shadow.

Obviously, the first problem is the large shadow itself that the photographer doesn't want there. Taking that out and making it look like it was never there entails more than just using a crude mask and increasing the luminosity and contrast.

The whole thing is overexposed. The raw file is likely salvageable.

Highlights are blown.

Image lacks contrast.

There is lens distortion. The people on the right don't likely have feet that long, and the ground doesn't likely slope away like that.

The line where the shadow ends has to be blended. It covers the cobblestones, so their details will blur.

None of the people who are in the shadow are casting shadows. None of them have sun in their faces. All of the people on the other side are casting distinct shadows and have bright sunlit faces and clothing. To make this look natural, all that has to be fixed. Not impossible, but incredibly time consuming and requiring more than Lightroom's developing and light retouching tools.

The foregoing is not what "UHH members" consider "good" or "problem free," this is just me, just my opinion.

The examples posted in this thread (of the full photo) blend the line of demarcation so that the middle stones look smeared. I didn't attempt to make the entire image the same exposure; I just lessened the contrast between the two sides.

Topaz Studio 2's HDR filter helped, along with selective brightening and darkening, and the color adjustments I mentioned. I started to dodge along the shadow line, but had to quit.

I didn't work on sky or distortion, or small details. Obviously, more work is needed if one wants perfection

Obviously.

As with all the other attempts at this "easy" fix, nothing is fixed. There is a bright line running through the middle of the image, and there are many, many other problems, and there is the usual disclaimer along the lines of "with more time this could be better."

Take all the time you want, but this is a throwaway. There is no one on this forum that I am aware of who has the skill to bring this anywhere near "perfection." If such a person is here, I want to see that.

And it's laughable to think that the the raw developer in Lightroom is by any stretch of the imagination up to this task. Those who have tried have demonstrated that fact pretty well.

Thank you for your detailed reply. As I said, I’m interested in how folks judge a photo and I appreciate your comments.

I tend to look at a photo like this and think of it’s purpose and use. I’m guessing it’s a travel picture - taken for memories and to show friends and family what they saw and where they went. In that context I can overlook a lot of minor “flaws”.

I think Ed Shapiro had the right outlook:https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-790879-2.html#14256463

I think the edits posted by readers here are all very impressive!