Ok, so I posted a photo in critique forum and got pretty much the same critique across the board... the background is too confusing/complicated. Some suggested blurring it more, some said make it a solid color...I am not sure!?

I have the rights to alter this image...if you would like to use your final image you may, so long as credit is given. The photographer, however, is not on mm.



thanks in advance!

Honestly, I think if you just burn down the trees some, and maybe put them a little more out of focus with lens blur/good masking, it should work fine.  What bothers me the most is your arm is completely blown out...

Do you have a larger size copy of the image?  The bigger the source, the cleaner the edit...

that almost gives it a 3d effect... i like it!