how much highlight does a pic need?

[crisscross]

looking through my 'orphans' which I didn't want to bin, but not sure how to finish, I came across this of a mini-tornado taken from the Malvern Hills looking towards the Black Mountains (one of my perennial challenges). Normally one would say 'too dark' or bring up the shadows, but maybe there is a time and place for having most of the frame very dark?? Views appreciated before bin or do noise removal/edges more carefully

URL instead of attachment
http://www.pbase.com/image/106679870

[The Blue Boy]

I like images like these. It's one of those "as shot", where any sort of major editing would look fake. I'd clean up the noise and give it a nice border.

Mark

[Richard]

I agree with Mark - this is a very good 'moment in time' which does not need any changes - 5 minutes either way and perhaps that area of sunlight would not have been there - and I really like the way the lines of hills fade off into the distance. Don't bin it.

Cheers, Richard.

[crisscross]

thank you Mark and Richard

another very different example on the theme of mostly dark pics. It is a credit to this forum that I think it will be looked at, whereas elsewhere the almost black thumbnail will mostly be by-passed or ignored

URL instead of attachment http://www.pbase.com/crisscross/image/106263652

[Richard]

thank you Mark and Richard

another very different example on the theme of mostly dark pics. It is a credit to this forum that I think it will be looked at, whereas elsewhere the almost black thumbnail will mostly be by-passed or ignored

If people pass it by or ignore it - it would be their loss. It just shows that even the simple things can make a great shot - given the right lighting - and the right eye.

[Lincs1]

looking through my 'orphans' which I didn't want to bin, but not sure how to finish, I came across this of a mini-tornado taken from the Malvern Hills looking towards the Black Mountains (one of my perennial challenges). Normally one would say 'too dark' or bring up the shadows, but maybe there is a time and place for having most of the frame very dark?? Views appreciated before bin or do noise removal/edges more carefully

The patch of sunlight make this, together with the very dark and threatening clouds, the tornado drags the eye to the receding hills, its one of those that works and breaks most of the rules.

Keep it! A little more work and you have a good image.

Lincs1

[crisscross]

Than you all for comments and encouragement