went down to the creek to take some pictures and check a trap.

nothing in the trap, got some cool pictures though.

this  is a picture of fast shallow water over gravel and clay. it was taken with a long time exposure of 0.5 seconds. then i went in photoshop and messed around with a few settings.

which picture do you like better?

original:

enhanced:

personally, i like the enhanced one better.

Enhanced looks better.

Back off on the green in the second picture and I think you will have it.

Back off on the green in the second picture and I think you will have it.

Agreed

I like the first one a lot.

Try it in a little lower light.  Meter in a darker place, then snap the photo.

second one

I like the second. Levels, colors, and contrast?

Too much contrast in #2, I like the original

This is a similar one I took 2 yrs ago

I long for my old Pentax K-1000 manual SLR and hours spent in the darkroom.  

I'm clueless on how to make these new digital camera's work vs old film camera's.  Not to mention photoshop

I like the first one.

It is "soft" with no sharp edges and the colors are soft and they flow together.

In addition, the water is easy on the eyes.

Good balance, too.

It is beautiful.

Maybe you can submit it to the Maryland State Fair next year?  

The first one. Softer colors that look natural. check out the trees in the background. Just look a lot more natural. Too much of a green and light yellow in the second. IMO.

There is no central focus in the picture, and no strong compositional structure.  Therefore it is just a document of the area n the field of view.  I'd say the first then.

Long exposures can be fun, but you've got to put together something strong compositionally.  Here is one from my local trout stream taken last winter.

The second one for sure!