Lonely angel

[cun030876]

Guys, I need your input on this simple image. What can be done to make this image better. Thanks!

[Swampy]

I would soften the clouds to give a more ethereal look and pop the lady angel.

Dupe twice.
On top layer Loosely mask woman and g/blur the mask for very soft edges.

On the layer below, I did a soft glass distort, then motion blur to soften the clouds. Put a layer of white below this layer then lower the opacity on the blurred layer.

You can stop here and or/tweak.

I stamp merged and saved as a pattern and painted back with a watercolor brush. Used the Impressionist feature (ON) of the Pattern Stamp Tool to soften the clouds even more. Moved the masked layer of the woman above the merged layer and lowered opacity.

[LonK]

This is a lovely composite, Agus. I wonder what she's thinking!

I would agree with Swampy. I think the dark sky and contrasty clouds compete with your subject. I would lighten the blue sky, soften the clouds (diffuse glow, blur) and possibly a blur vignette. For a more balanced composition, I'd crop slightly.

[cun030876]

Swampy and Lonnie, thanks for your input guys.
I know something is not right with the image. This is my second attempt.

[Swampy]

I like that much beter, Agus

[Canna W]

I couldn't resist experimenting, and I went completely the other way. Hope you don't mind me joining in. I loved the dark sky and the bold clouds, so tried to emphasise the drama.
Selective colour - white - increased yellow +10 and magenta +1 for highlights. Duplicate layer set to multiply, then applied masking layer,then used gradient tool set to radial gradient to remove effect from centre - then faded the gradient tool to taste. Then did another duplicate layer and applied the AmpiSoft Simplifier filter set to 000. Applied a masking layer and removed it completely from skin, and from the wings at 48% brush opacity.

[cun030876]

Canna, nice approach. The dark sky builds up a melancholic feeling. Maybe I'll try your direction and post the result on my website.
Thanks for the tips.

[Canna W]

It was a lovely image to play with....