Mission Picture - How to improve?

[PhotoByMark]

Hello there everyone.

Well I have been away from Photoshop way too long. It is like I forgot everything I learned. What a struggle to remember stuff. Anyway, here is a mission picture I took last year and would like to print out for a friend for a gift. I would like to know what you think I could to do to improve it. I have other mission pictures but I want to use this one. I have done some touch up, considered B&W as opposed to color but I am open to all suggestions. Feel free to play around with it and repost your results - just tell me what you did etc...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/1089086730_cca49e9f5e_b.jpg

A larger res one if you want : http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1089086730&size=o

[j_b_l]

OK, here are three different looks:

First, just an enhancement on the sky and a saturation boost (a little WB adjust...looked a little too warm for me, but I don't know since I wasn't there):
http://teamlaplante.smugmug.com/photos/183266532-L.jpg

Now, an IR convert:
http://teamlaplante.smugmug.com/photos/183123573-L.jpg

Lastly, a glow effect:
http://teamlaplante.smugmug.com/photos/183123522-L.jpg

These were all done with the Imagenomic "Real Grain" plug in...it comes as a bundle with "Noiseware" and "Portraiture". I use these three plug ins almost every day with my shooting.

[Rob]

John, I am inclined to go with 1 & 4. Like the original (Good feel) But that's just me. Love the 4th - beautiful effect on the architecture. Nice work

[PhotoByMark]

Thanks John for the various takes. I like 1 the best. I boosted the sat a little and getting a couple prints to see how it looks. Actually kind of like the look of the last one too.

Rob, Thx.

[Bobby]

First shot is great as is, but it is interesting to see the images done by John. They all work each in its own way.

[Rudi]

Like many here I actually like the original version. But.. since you asked, here are a few variations:

This is the original with a slight curves tweak to bring out the sky better:
http://www.rudiphoto.net/img/v2/p230873195.jpg

A quick dodge and burn. I like this one a lot! :)
http://www.rudiphoto.net/img/v2/p473613251.jpg

Antique look:
http://www.rudiphoto.net/img/v2/p58470059.jpg

Cold Tone:
http://www.rudiphoto.net/img/v2/p196844727.jpg

Infrared look. This one also had some curves adjustment:
http://www.rudiphoto.net/img/v2/p417786894.jpg

[PhotoByMark]

Rudi, really like the dodge and burn flavor and the antique one as well. Thanks for taking the time to experiment.

[PhotoByMark]

Thanks for the suggestions Bill.

I did get one printed out (actually 2) and gave one as a gift already.

[John Gregory]

Hello Mark, I read all these threads, and certainly learned a lot just listening in.. But I have a twist of a thought that might make this image a little 'warmer' the next time you do this.. If you had two people standing next to the well, looking happy and ingaged, it might add a layer of interest to the pic, and might make the viewer even wish they also where there..
Regards, John Gregory