Challenging late afternoon scene

I was on a workshop on the Oregon coast; we met for morning and evening shoots. Arriving on the beach, I found a glaring sky with scattered clouds and a cold fog in bit & pieces over the water and beach. I took the shot and is was too dark. (I was moving quickly to join others on the beach) I worked on the image for awhile in PS and found something I liked. Looking for to see what others might do with the image, I love to see others interpretations and what I can learn from them. Cheers.

Raw File

_DSC9709.dng (31.1 MB)

You may only download this file to demonstrate how you would process the image. The file is Copyright of the photographer, and you must delete the raw file when you are done. Please post a jpg of what you created, explain what you did, and why you did it.

My Edit

I really like this image !!! The shadows and the sky is really cool. Try some contrast and burning some of the hot spots down. You could go black and white with some vignetting possibly. This image could be edited different ways or just leave it as it it …

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My edit…late as it is!

I’m not one to do a lot of PP as you can see. I’ve disappeared some beach goers to add some sense of isolation. That stair is hard to deal with as it leans away from the shot.

Here is my take on the image:

And here are the step I took:
Part 1 - Adobe Camera Raw (ACR):

Part 2 - Photoshop:

I would not quarrel with your suggestion…

I love this photo because it communicates the mood and the situation immediately.

I took a very quick look at your edit but then downloaded the raw file and try what I would have done without being influenced by other edits. Here is the result.

Then, after looking a little bit, I found the stairs too distracting so I tried to make a big crop and go B&W.
This is the result.

These are just possible edits. I like the picture as you posted it, because as always there is not a best way to photograph/edit something, but it depends on the message or emotion that the photographer wants to tell.

Giorgio, we are of similar minds. We always need to be aware of the photographers vision. I appreciate your comment/insight.

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