I downloaded this wallpaper from internet, origin is unknown for me, as far as I understand background represent the view on Ko Larn island from the intersection point of the Jomtien and Dong Muang beach, and nice artwork added to foreground ;-)

Hope you will enjoy it as much as I am ;-)

Try this 'falkenbach',

Using Photomatix Pro 3 'Exposure Blending' and ACDSee pro 2.5 for final touch up.

Your truly,

Kan Win

The original looks like "A nice, sunny day at the beach!".

The "touched up" one looks like " Oh shit, the storm is coming!".

I think I like the original!

Totally agree Svenian !!

KanWin, it's a cg artwork, not a photograph that the OP asked you to "improve" upon and even if it was, by darkening the clouds ( which we know you love ) in this manner you have detracted from the foreground element which was the artists focal point and totally altered the tone and impact of the original  picture. Photomatix is a great bit of software in the right hands and used with a touch of empathy but overkill if used incorrectly IMHO. 

keep on keeping on 

regards J

Totally agree Svenian !!

Kan Win, it's a cg artwork, not a photograph that the OP asked you to "improve" upon and even if it was, by darkening the clouds ( which we know you love ) in this manner you have detracted from the foreground element which was the artists focal point and totally altered the tone and impact of the original  picture. Photomatix is a great bit of software in the right hands and used with a touch of empathy but overkill if used incorrectly IMHO. 

keep on keeping on 

regards J

My sincere apologies to the OP for my remake of the member's photo should that be needed.

Now having said my peace and shown my view of how I would have liked to see it, the photo was IMHO far too bright and one tried to get the 'Smoke' spirels into play ( foreground element which was the artists focal point ) as the background was not very clear anyway, remembering that this is also an 'Arts' forum

Had I not have posted on this thread it would have go 'west' I think 'jandtaa' & 'Svenian'.

Yours truly,

Kan not Win this time aound, but one does try and will try again

Kan Win, it's a cg artwork, not a photograph that the OP asked you to "improve" upon ..................

regards J

Does your post mean that I cannot post what I really see in a cg artwork (within ThaiVisa Rules) and adjust the artwork as I would like to see it? Improved photos are Not allowed

Yours truly,

Kan Win