Really struggling with this sunset photo

[pauliec]

I've been working on this photo for the past hour and a half in lightroom, and I can't figure out what I still don't like about it. It just seems off to me, but I think I've been staring at it for so long that I don't realize what's wrong with it. I'm thinking maybe the sky could pop a little bit more? Not sure. Any suggestions?

 

[pauliec]

I just changed the white balance, maybe this is a bit better --

 

[Sisco]

I think you are trying to fix too much photo, how about a crop showcasing the reflection and buildings?

Just a crop, and slight sharpen of the building.

Working with the original will not be as comressed as this one is.

Lost some color in translation, I like it warmer as you had.

 

[Scuba]

I took a quick shot at it. Is this more what you are looking for?

 

[pauliec]

I think you are trying to fix too much photo, how about a crop showcasing the reflection and buildings?

Just a crop, and slight sharpen of the building.

Working with the original will not be as comressed as this one is.

Lost some color in translation, I like it warmer as you had.

Hmm.. maybe my crop is off

 

[pauliec]

I took a quick shot at it. Is this more what you are looking for?

No, too much blue. I was thinking more magenta and purple.

 

[Scuba]

like this?

 

[pauliec]

like this?

I was trying to do something like that, but at the same time remove the blue at the bottom. Like use the graduated filter, I guess.

 

[Ub3rdoRK]

graduated filters are more for keeping 2 different exposures set almost equally in this setting it may work if you use one but the reflection and the sky would be 2 different colors/exposures....it might work but idunno... i would almost try a ND filter to open up a stop or 2 to get a smoother water setting. or maybe the sky wasnt in the right timing for the sunset/sunrise whichever you were shooting at.. i would just go back another time and try it again if youre not happy with the results.

 

[Scuba]

I was trying to do something like that, but at the same time remove the blue at the bottom. Like use the graduated filter, I guess.

I didn't feel like posting another but using a graduated filter on the bottom lowering the saturation decreased the blue.

I think you are trying to get too much from that shot. There wasn't that much purple in the image. I had to boost it a lot to get that little color. I think it was a tad overexposed to get the color you wanted. What were the settings?

 

[pauliec]

Settings were 1/60, f/20, ISO 800

I added a vignette, and I think it looks good now. Probably the best I'll get it. Thanks for the feedback.