Overmuch?

[Downrigger]

I was very drawn to this scene, big, strong blocks of color, and some story, and I'm trying to get the image right. The first is pretty much where I started, and the second where I have gotten so far. Perhaps some C&C will get me further.

The original:

[Downrigger]

And the final:

[bnnrcn]

The final looks perfect Mark

[Bobobird]

Processing perfect. Objects looks cramped in the final. The spacing in the original was about right imho.

[Downrigger]

Thanks, Binnur and Bobo. Bobo... I see what you mean. I wanted to stay with 5x7 and yet not have too much sky. You've given me something to work on. Thanks.

[Manfred M]

Hi Mark - given the lighting conditions you shot under, you very limited options. The snow looks a tad blue on my laptop (yes it has been profiled), but things to tend to be a bit blue on it. I wonder what this shot would like like had you taken it closer to sunset, with those nice long and soft shadows and golden tinges to the light.

Essentially, you are shooting with a giant white reflector, so the colours will look super saturated (the joys of mid-day shooting in the winter). You might want to turn down the satuaration a bit to see what that does. WIth all of the white in the scene, our eyes tend to get drawn to these bright areas and we don't see the subject; so a small vignette (black or even white) might help direct the viewer's eyes.

[Mike Buckley]

I believe the second version is overly saturated, mostly because my mind knows that such old, weathered paint never looks so saturated. The sky in the second version also looks unnatural whereas the sky in the first version seems natural.

I agree that the composition of the first version is better. If you're trying to keep the space on the left, take it from the right side. It's not necessary in my mind to include all of the back hoe in the composition.

[Shadowman]

I like the first also, added depth of the environment.

[Wavelength]

A great shot; lovely sky... i like the original as well as the edit

[Downrigger]

All of this is helpful for me to gain some perspective. What I was having fun with emphasizing the large areas of RBG primary colors - and the yellow, as blocks in an almost abstract composition sense. But taking that approach removed the validity of the image as a representation of something actual. In this version I toned things down and added warmth. I split the difference on the crop suggestions - I like this one. In any case, here's my homework for the day. Thanks all.

[Mike Buckley]

That works nicely for me.

[FootLoose]

If you want 'natural' then the 3rd edit is probably it. But if you wanted to pursue the strong blocks of colour further, maybe try cropping the 2nd edit just to the right of the truck - ie remove most of the backhoe.

[IzzieK]

Liked the second edit best -- the last one I mean...Good job, Mark!