If you use ACR, try the Brush tool, with exposure set to minus 1.5 or 2. Turn on the mask so you can see where the brush goes. I just started using this powerful tool, mainly for backing off overbright sky, but also for darkening the foreground as needed. The image then loads into CS5 with the need for far less editing there.
I like the lower half of your image for the strong composition and the POV. It has a graphic drama that appeals to the eye.
If you tame the sky and clouds, they will compliment the tree line.
Thanks. Lightroom does not seem to indicate that the details in the sky are blown, but this seems to be the common consensus. The brush tool in ACR is the same that is in Lightroom, so I can do it there - thanks for the suggestion.
I gave it a try and dropped the sky by about 1.25 stops, what do you think now?
The overbright sky and clouds unbalance the image. The clouds lack enough texture and definition.
The strong contrast between the lower and upper half of the image distracts from a unified perception of the image.
I'm not familiar with LR. If it has a RAW converter, then you will want to apply the brush there, where the most information and most adjustment latitude exist.
UPDATE: My slow Internet connection did not load your version 2 image before I commented again on version 1. Yes, version 2 improves the image''s visual balance. The sky looks closer to what the eye expects given the overall exposure. My eye feels more comfortable viewing your interesting image.
Personally, though, I'd try bringing down the sky exposure a little more. Try putting your hand over the sky part of the image. The lower half will take on a look of its own. Then remove your hand, and notice how the sky affects the lower half. When the two parts together appear most pleasing to your eye, then the sky and clouds will have come into balance within the frame.
The lower half appears nicely rendered. Its graphic qualities will assume more of their visual impact when the sky and clouds complement it.
As a gauge, compare the sky reflection on the water to the sky itself. The sky should come close to its mirroring on the water's surface. The eye expects this match.
