Not Sure?

[Adamo]

So I woke to a beautiful scene out of my hotel balcony in Monterey so I grabbed my camera and took some shots. They all turned out terrible. They didn't capture the lighting correctly and I'm not sure what I did wrong. I cropped this one and touched it up a little, but I still don't like it. Thoughts? Is it hopeless or does anyone have suggestions on how I can improve it.

f11
ISO 100
1/320
135mm (cropped)

[armando_m]

this looks good to me!

how is it different from what you saw ?
the contrast ? or the amount of light ?
maybe the colors ? perhaps you need a custom white balance, and anyway it can be adjusted in post processing

I need some more information about what is wrong, so I can offer a suggestion

[Grandpaw]

So I woke to a beautiful scene out of my hotel balcony in Monterey so I grabbed my camera and took some shots. They all turned out terrible. They didn't capture the lighting correctly and I'm not sure what I did wrong. I cropped this one and touched it up a little, but I still don't like it. Thoughts? Is it hopeless or does anyone have suggestions on how I can improve it.

f11
ISO 100
1/320
135mm (cropped)

Try adjusting the shadows and highlights, Jeff

[Adamo]

it just seems to be very flat. It was much "warmer" out, but when I try to adjust the temp is starts to look very over processed. I'm just not sure where to begin and when to stop in the PP. I have tried several versions and all get worse.

[Grandpaw]

it just seems to be very flat. It was much "warmer" out, but when I try to adjust the temp is starts to look very over processed. I'm just not sure where to begin and when to stop in the PP. I have tried several versions and all get worse.

Do you mind if I post a version of this picture with some shadows and highlights adjustments? Jeff

[Adamo]

not at all.

[Adamo]

meaning, go ahead, I don't mind

[Grandpaw]

Adjusted the shadows and highlights and sharpened a little bit, Jeff

[armando_m]

that's very similar to what i would do

[Overbeyond]

Hello Adamo
Perhaps if you let us see the original before any treatment was carried out, we might then see why you seem to be so disappointed with it and we could also possibly offer some suggestions,
I have seen a lot worse that what you have posted here.

[Adamo]

Here is the original

[Overbeyond]

I think you made a very good job with whatever treatment you applied to the original. It simply looks as thought you were shooting on a very misty.foggy day.