Hello, So I've tried something different with this photo. It's a long exposure for the water then I replaced the sky to still have the nice puffy clouds. I think it's obvious that it's a composite but does it look super fake? Is there something I can do to make it better? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
I think the motive and picture is very nice, but as you say, there is something strange with the sky looks like it`s dropping in a straight vertically angle down in the water horizon. I think the sky must be more three dimensional. In a way reaching further into the pictures horizon. Maybe it`s enough just to skew the sky in photoshop to make it reach more naturally into the horizon?
I went back to the drawing board and came up with this. I think the sky looks a little more natural in this one.
The skewing helps a little, however, I recommend going a little more extreme with it because the overall product still looks unnatural.
The bigger issue though, is that the lighting and depth in the sky need to have some progression as your eyes move to the horizon. In addition, they need to complement the foreground rocks & water. Could you post the image, processed with original sky? This may provide some ideas for how to approach.
Sure thing. This is the original with lightroom adjustments.
Yes but it is a little tricky this one. Maybe a little gap or something between the waterhorizone and the sky. I think there usually is. The sky probably need to be more diffuse and unclear on the water horizone. Maybe easier to try with another sky from another photo?