Help! What is the issue with this image?

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Hello All,

I really like this image, but I can't figure out the source of its quality issue. It was a weird image to begin with. It appeared to have some fringing in only certain areas of the reflection. I think I finally got rid of it, but maybe not. I have a couple of thoughts about what might be wrong, but would like some fresh eyes/opinions. Thank you in advance!

[Jill_C]

Zoom in >100% and you can easily see the banding in the sky, as well as chroma noise and a dust / sensor spot just above the horizon.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

I did zoom in as I always do. Thank you, I will check it out.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

I found the spot you were talking about by using visualization. So even if it's not visible to the naked eye (I tried and still couldn't see it with visualization off), it needs removed?

[Jill_C]

I can see it easily by zooming in only slightly and not using any special tools. Just above the horizon to the left of the person on the right. If it's that easy to spot, it needs to be removed.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

The spot I found was not the one you were talking about, although I did find it after your clarification. I sometimes have difficulty determining if it's a highlight in the water or a spot. I clearly missed that because my motto  is "When in doubt, spot it out". 

[Jill_C]

My trick for finding all the spots in the sky is to slide the Dehaze slider in LRC far to the right - they stand out like sore thumbs then! 

[daniellei4510]

I like this!

[Abambo]

Zoom in >100% and you can easily see the banding in the sky, as well as chroma noise and a dust / sensor spot just above the horizon.

By @Jill_C

I agree with the banding and the dust spot. I am not convinced that there is chroma noise, I think that is due to the lens limits and the harsh lightning. Pictures into the sun are very difficult to take.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

I could not see the banding when I blew it up on LRC, but when I blew up the JPEG I had created, it was so obvious I was shocked! Any idea why I couldn't see it before I save the JPEG? 

[daniellei4510]

The heads of the two main figures blend with the wave behind them and they almost look headless. On at least one of the figures, viewed at 200%, there is a white halo effect probably created during upscaling. Or maybe it was always there. Too dark overall. The two dogs. Or is it just one? I can make out one for sure but the other could be seaweed. And what is it that washed up next to it? A rock? A backpack? In all, the image makes me think too hard about what is what is what.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Since they were strangers and I have no releases, I wanted to be sure it wouldn't be rejected on that basis. Would you say they don't need to be as darkened then? It never occurred to me to remove the seaweed until you mentioned it. Which makes me laugh because I clean up distractions on a regular basis, haha. Thx so much 😃

[daniellei4510]

No, if recognizable, you would need releases.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Exactly what constitutes "Recognizeable". I was uncertain about silhouettes even after reading the handbook. Thanks 😃

[Jill_C]

"Recognizable" means that the subject would be able to recognize that they are in your image.

[Abambo]

Exactly what constitutes "Recognizeable". I was uncertain about silhouettes even after reading the handbook. Thanks 😃

By @ImaRetiredTeacher

The people are not the problem. Recognizable means: “Is the subject able to recognize himself, by seeing the image.” These people are not recognizable.

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Thank you!

[ImaRetiredTeacher]

Your feedback was awesome! I ended up using a different shot that is so much better all the way around. I'm surprised I didn't choose it in the first place. My page has recently been changed to moderation up to EIGHT weeks, instead of 4 so it'll be awhile before I'll know if I scored. I'm embarrassed that I didn't realize how bad the positioning of the subjects was in relation to the midground. The new image also has the dogs turned sideways, haha, so no problem knowing what they are! Thanks again 😃