Foggy Sprague

Folks, I'd appreciate a harsh critique of this image. The morning I shot this it was very damp and misty on Sprague Lake. This was very cool, but what I didn't realize is that I wound up with a heavy layer of dew on my GND. While this made for a cool soft focus effect, it also blurred the left and right sides of the image, and really enhanced the halo effect of the fog on the mtn in the left background. I figure I can fix the halo if I need to, but I'm stuck with the blur. There was so much dew on the left and right sides of the GND, that is was actually dripping off. Never seen that before.
Anyway, all comments appreciated.
Paul

Paul - that is an awesome shot! When I first opened the page, I was stunned by the beauty of it and the dreamy feel of the image. It's not until you really start poking around when you see the halos and the blurring. Maybe really go for the dreamy feel and try a slight blur effect on the entire image to even it out somewhat? Or maybe crop a bit from the left and right to take away the worst of the blur, and then clean up the halos? I think it's definetely worth saving with some processing work.

I'm no PS master tho - maybe some others will have some processing suggestions.

I say you call it an artistic representation and call it a day. This is totally cool-looking to me. I've had filters fog up on me, but water dripping off it? Now THAT is humidity!

I like it the way it is! There are so many things that appeal to me--the reflections in the lake, the pink sky, the fog, and I think the softness goes with the fog.

Wow Paul! I might back off the saturation a bit and move it a bit to the yellow side but this is ultra cool!!!! The halo on the hill is a bit distracting but the rest of the halo effect doesn't bother me at all. Bravo!

I love the dreamy feel. Great composition and reflection from the ponds.

I think it would be worth the effort to fix the halo effect on the hill.
I'd also consider tweaking the WB a little.

I like the diffusion effect on most of this, but I'm not really fond of the halo on the upper left mountain either. The saturation appears OK to me, but the color balance appears quite cyan. It must have been quite an experience to have that much natural condensation appear on your filter, that much humidity is not a common thing in CO!

I agree with the others. I happen to like the effect you got.
A slight WB tweak would be a good thing.
You might also tone down the reflection in the far pond to better match the exposure of the horizon.

Yet another reason to ditch the filters and blend images in postprocess.

I think the softness it created is really nice, gives it a nice dreamy affect. But I agree that the halo on mountains needs some work, without that you have an Outstanding shot Paul.

Yep very cool shot! Used to try to get this kind of effect by breathing on the lens for portraits. I agree with Bill and Eric and John about the halo and the white balance could use a tweak. I might try to sharpen the center of the image a little more to give the eye something to anchor on but this is truly a serendipitous capture!

Love the softness to this image. Very unique.

I think the unintentional softness/dreamy look works REALLY nicely Paul. I would just fix the one halo on the mountain, and maybe back off the saturation on the Cyan in the foreground pool.

Paul,

What an amazing image. The ethereal feel is almost tangible...excellent job!

Wow, Paul! I agree w/Todd, I think I would just leave it as is, except maybe for the halo on the mountain. Other than that, this is a beautiful image. I love the mood.

I like the effect as well, the only thing id do is back off the sat a little bit. Great shot!

I thought the halo was a bit too much, but then looking it for more than 20 seconds I think it's just fine now! The clouds really cooperate to fill the sky!

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input.

The dew really worked to your benefit here! The dreamy effect is really nice, even nicer so considering that it's somewhat "natural" and not just a photoshop effect. Great comp and scene to begin with too.

One of the most unique shots of Sprague I've seen. I like it as is!!