I took this picture at Gorham, NH's 2018 4th of July carnival using a Nexus 6P. It made me think that the amusement ride was battling the town hall (in the background) and had an explosive hit with billowing smoke ensuing.
One thing that bothers me about this shot are the trucks in the foreground. I couldn't get on the sun side of them to get a better shot. Should I try to edit them out, or do they add to the picture? I'm not proficient yet with manipulating items inside of photos, so I think I might make the shot worse than it is.
It looks like a photojournalism kind of thing. You gotta leave it alone.
Thank you, Alton. Is there a difference between photojournalism and landscape descriptions? I'm just getting back into photograph after a 30-year absence.
Imaginative and dramatic shot, Ron!
I understand your concern about the trucks, but they don't spoil the shot for me. To me, the shot isn't quite as much of "a photojournalism kind of thing" as to Alton, but I'd still leave them in, as removing them e.g. by cloning would unbalance the composition.
I attach an edit, in which I've cropped the left edge, as for me this balances the image a bit; also, including almost, but not quite all of the white truck doesn't look quite right.
Somehow, the image overall has acquired a green/cyan cast, which I've edited out, and I've tried to emphasise the foreground elongated shadows to maintain a little of the sense of drama in the foreground.
It's a bit of an OTT image (including your description!) but even allowing for this, the colours are a bit too strong for me, so I've cut saturation a bit.
Just my "take" on your idea; many may prefer yours.
Thank you, Chris! I agree with you on the colors. I had edited on my phone using Snapseed and think I got to focused on the shading of the clouds. In any case, you've helped a lot! What software did you use for editing? What's OTT?
I use the rather unpopular ACDSee, usually described as a bit of an also-ran pretend Photoshop, Ron! It was what I learnt on years ago, and I've stuck with it. I don't know that I'd recommend it over the industry standard, which I intend to try out - some time....!
OTT = Over The Top or the opposite of subtle & understated. Thought it was a universal abbreviation.
interesting concept and great lighting, but I dont think its quite there compositionally; the white pickup truck in particular is obtrusive.
I agree, Francisco. Thank you for commenting.
It's pretty hard here anything to do with cloning. Chris gave a good solution or the next time you try with a wider frame (seems a little tight on sides).
Wonderful scene otherwise!
Another reason I need to get a decent camera with a zoom lens. Thank you, Radisa.
Just let the picture be. Nice shot!!
Thank you, Nnam.
I really love the composition and mood, I would slightly boost the warmth to remove the slightly greenish tint in the clouds, I would also do a little bit of some and burning in the ground to bring out the gorgeous contrast in the grass. Overall amazing image
Thank you, A B. I will try this.
IMO, this is a really cool shot that shouldn't be manipulated. I think Alton is right, it's a photojournalism / documentarian type of image. The only thing I'd do is brighten it just a bit because it feels a little too dark to me, but that's just my personal opinion.
Thank you, Mark. I'm working on my editing skills now.