+1 @ the tire, but it'll take some doing given the shadows involved. Not sure if I want to put forth the effort for the WA ... which is supposed to be more about the shot, than your extensive PP skills anyway. I'm kinda "on the fence" as to whether the tire removal falls into normal or extensive PP ... that or I'm just lazy & unskilled.
Took a rudimentary stab at the tire, along with a curves tweak.
As to the tire ... a review of the rules really only addresses the issue as "guidelines" to indicate that the point should remain focused at the photographic effort (albeit clone vs. montage are technically different). I think the removal of the tire only allows for the photographic effort to be more clearly revealed, rather than software efforts becoming the main appeal of the image. In that regard, I think I'm okay with it now.
Excerpt: Guidelines
Montage techniques are allowed but should be functional and kept to a minimum. Your entries for the weekly assignment should highlight your photographic skills, not your software knowledge.
BTW ... diggin' that the WA rules also tell people to come here for feedback.
