This was done using brightness/contrast adjustments, screen mode layers, curves, levels, color overlay for blue sky, lots of masking of various areas, some dodge and burn. I haven't made an SBS because I changed and deleted too many layers before I got an end result with which I was happy. (5 years and 596 days ago)
Okay. I'm done. I decided to submit before I made yet more changes. I will never be happy with this, so here it is! I had torches on the building at one point and realized it changed the entire lighting dynamic, so I killed that idea. I had fog too. Didn't like it.
the background photo is mine. I am linking the moon, figure, and tombstones shortly. (5 years and 1271 days ago)
I see from your SBS a lot of work was done but I think the final image is too dark to appreciate the details (and I'm using a 27" high res monitor). You could brighten it up a bit and still maintain the drama.
Well Spaceranger, I did lighten this. LOL, you wouldn't believe how many versions I have. I lost a lot of stone detail dropping it into my photo. I also had tombstones that I spent a long time shading for the environment, and then i lost my link and spent over an hour trying to search it. I finally said %$#@ it. I really like my torches, but they required extensive highlight changes on the building trim, so I nixed that too. I can't say it hasn't been fun!
I know what you mean, I do the same thing, trying all kinds of versions of my image. This looks much better, we can see the details and it's still dramatic. Too bad about the tombstones, I assume you tried searching your history. Even without the tombstones this deserves a good score IMHO.
I accidentally deleted my history at work yesterday. It was a circus of calamities with this thing. When I resubmitted this morning I realized part of a layer was left visible in my revision that looked like amateur hacking.
This looks much better than the original dark version. But the moon is gone, I don't know if that was intentional or not 
Geez! Tripped up by rushing again. I'm putting the moon back! Thanks!
Yeah. I like this image better, the lighting looks good. Good luck!
Sooper Moody! Love it
You did a good job.... congratulations for 4th....
Howdie stranger!
If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
LOGIN HERE or REGISTER FOR FREE
Thanks to Lelaina pxleyes member, for the beautiful pics of the hills and sunset, you can find these pics on her stock here at pxleyes.
Thanks to mqtrf pxleyes member, for the pic of the horse, his stock can be found here at home, pxleyes. The rest is PS and imagination. Your comments and suggestions are sure appreciated. (5 years and 2183 days ago)
The lighting works well. Try to align the horizontal bar on the cross with the perspective of the windows.
Thanks Bob... I worked in the perspective of the cross bar, republished the image, but for any reason,it does not show the change. But please check the HR image, the change appears there.Probable some problems with the new loading system. 
It is ok now....
good luck
Thanks....!
Very nice, tranquil scene and very well made!
(BTW I noticed the changes may not appear in the normal view when you first look at it. If you leave the page, refresh and go back it shows correctly.)
Thanks Rein... I did that and now it is ok.
Lovely colors used and peace of the scene. Good luck!
Thanks Chrys....Comment appreciated.
Congrats George, great 2nd place 
Thanks Rob!
Congrats!
Thanks Bob...nice week.
Congrats yet again George!!
Thanks Rein....Congrats to you too.
Congrats!
Hey...congrats to you too.
Congrats George.
Thanks....congrats back to you.
Howdie stranger!
If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
LOGIN HERE or REGISTER FOR FREE
This is my improved edit, with feedback from the last one taken on board. I hope this one is more approved. (5 years and 2507 days ago)
You've got part of the reflection on the grass, and the dock ends before the water.
I think you cut the bridge? And the reflection shouldn't be that way, the church is back there, not close to the water.
I do not think the reflection is right, as they already told you.... good luck author.
Howdie stranger!
If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
LOGIN HERE or REGISTER FOR FREE
This is my second entry. I hope dis time works!
Copy/Paste
Camera Lens
Light Effects
(5 years and 2652 days ago)
Howdie stranger!
If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
LOGIN HERE or REGISTER FOR FREE
Photography and photoshop contests
We are a community of people with
a passion for photography, graphics and art in general.
Every day new photoshop
and photography contests are posted to compete in. We also have one weekly drawing contest
and one weekly 3D contest!
Participation is 100% free!
Just
register and get
started!
Good luck!
© 2015 Pxleyes.com. All rights reserved.
Congrats SA.
Thanks.
Howdie stranger!
If you want to rate this picture or participate in this contest, just:
LOGIN HERE or REGISTER FOR FREE