Can this image be saved? + Repost

Everytime I've tried to capture Rattlesnake Ledge in fog I get a similar result, an image where the details look "fractured" and highlights seem overexposed even though the histogram shows it to be well underexposed. It was overcast obviously, early morning and this is looking west so I'm thinking even in difused light with the sun rising behind me maybe it was enough frontlight to result in a weak, flat exposure.
No processing outside of ACR except for a slight crop to 8x10. In ACR I decreased exposure slightly and dropped sharpening strength 5 points below default to 20. No color adjustments, and some noise reduction.

Here are the basic techs-

110mm w/cp
f/16 @ 1/30 sec
ISO 100

This is an awesome scene and I really hope to get it right whether I need to change my technique at capture or processing. Any ideas?
Thanks.

Try using the Shadows/ Highlights command in Photoshop. I would set both to no more than 8 or so. That should bring out some detail and will cut through the fog.

Thanks Charlie. Here a repost with shadows and highlights slightly adjusted and some slight USM in PS. It still looks too contrasty to me.

Bruce,

Using the original - instead of Shadows/Highlight use the Levels tool and adjust to your liking. Shadow/Highlight is great for quick and basic jobs but Levels (especially when used properly with masking) can work wonders on making finite adjustments to images like this with so much dark and light.

I agree with Luke. This just needs a Levels adjustment (or Exposure in ACR) to set the correct white point. Pretty basic adjustment which should be one of the first you perform when optimizing your images.

Bruce,

The great news here is... I don't see what needs to be "saved." Sure, you might want to improve on things and processing, but by no means is the image so bad it needs to be saved.

I would start by recognizing as you have, that the light is overcast and diffused. You won't get much more in terms of contrast or special light in these conditions. Conditions are what they are. You do have the fog/mist in your favor so go with what you have.

Initially you said the image was "fractured" and the highlights overexposed. Then in your repost you said it's too contrasty? I'm a little confused.

Actually, I think the added contrast has really improved the image and honestly, given the conditions, that is all that may be needed or all that you can squeeze out of this. the repost has a good mix of whites, darks and mid tones. I like it. With what your are given, I can't see anything more than you can do.

I will take a challenge to what John said about optimizing an image. I understand and often use Levels layers to set (mostly) gray pts, and sometimes black pts, but actually never white points. The point though is that one should evaluate what an image needs before applying any adjustments. I don't believe that there is a single adjustment that should be applied to every image just because.... Evaluate your base image and decide where you want to take it and what tools or adjustments you need to get there.

Lon

Thanks guys for the helpful comments.
Lon-I don't know how to explain fractured details, I guess there just doesn't seem to be any smoothness to the image. The histogram says it wasn't overexposed but it looks that way to me, there aren't any details in the highlights that I can see. I think the repost is a definite improvement, but I'm going to revisit this one down the road when my PP has hopefully improved.

I think all you need here is the curves dialog. As I sit here typing and look out the window by my computer it is a grey day with snow gently falling. There are no clean whites or deep blacks anywhere to be seen. If you are trying to show the 'like it was' your original is probably closer to the actual scene. A dramatic interpretation of course is another thing and for that, anything goes, as long as it serves your intent. For my part, I am cautious about sharpening or adding very much contrast to pictures taken in mist/fog because it tends to destroy the feeling of fog. Try a curve like the one in the image above. My intent with that curve was to brighten the sky while keeping the overall tonal relationships fairly close to the original. I don't think this image calls for any true blacks or whites.

Hi Bruce,
You may want to look into Tony Kuyper's Luminosity masking techniques. They have become part of my normal workflow and you may find them useful as well.
Good luck.
Neil