C&C please

[Idahophoto]

Canon 50D
Tamron 17-50/2.8
F32, 0.6 sec
ISO 125
Exposure Bios -1stop
Spot metering

 

[GotaLuvThosPens]

Maybe try taking it from a high angle to keep the figure in front of the light reflection area of the water... or the opposite with a low angle and use the light sky as the background. How it is now the person gets lost in the tree line and darker water.

 

[robertwsimpson]

too dark and it "feels" crooked.

your description says editing is ok, so here is my take:

here is what I did:
1. perspective distortion to make the photo "feel" straighter
2. re-crop using rule of thirds
3. levels adjustment to brighten
4. brightness/contrast adjustment to brighten and add contrast
5. USM sharpening
6. Selective dodging to bring out the sky, water, and details in the dock

 

[Idahophoto]

To Gotalovthospens I thought about that when taking the shot but flet the glow around her would add some separation, though thinking I will try it that way as the more I look at it the more I agree with you.

Nice edit Robert. PS is a big weak spot with me that I am trying to improve on. It was pretty dark when I took the shot. I had done a panoramic one that I really liked of her in the morning but she was a bit soft do to the very long exposure I used. I figured I should of did it in two shots one with long exposure and the second using a faster exposure to keep her sharp, but then the softness also adds to the mood I think also. These kinds of decisions are a pain to make lol.

 

[robertwsimpson]

photoshop can take a good photo to great, or a great photo to spectacular. Keep practicing.

 

[bazooka]

I agree with Robert, her head and shoulders, even though backlit, are still getting lost in the trees. I like the edit, and think the halo around her could be brightened up even more.