I am having an extremely hard time getting an edit of this image that I am happy with.
Special request for your best RawTherapee edits.
(Because I am not pleased with my own work, I am just going to upload the SOOC.)
DSCF2027.RAF (28.5 MB)
This file is licensed ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL.
May people with other software play? If not, I will readily remove my post. darktable 4.8.1
I like the bird inclusion!
Not my best edits but, to my eye, the image calls for DeHazing and black-level adjustment:
DSCF2027.RAF.pp3 (11.9 KB)
Of course. Its open to all (per the terms of the license above), and I love to see all edits. But as I only really use RT, I am hoping for some good pointers on this image.
This is my edit but with darktable. I had to manually specify a lens to correct the TCA.
You didn’t like the bird?
OMG, not just cropped - cloned out!
As I just said, I liked that bird!
I know you asked for RT but thought I’d offer my DT 4.8.1.
Beautiful capture.
Whales_DSCF2027.RAF.xmp (15.8 KB)
DSCF2027.RAF.xmp (22,4 KB)
I think removing it emphasize the sea a lot 
Me too. I actually have other pics in the series without the bird but chose to edit this one because it was there.
This is my attempt with DT 4.8.0. Sorry for not using RT.
I like the bird…
i wanted to remove the horizon, It emphasize the vastness of the ocean.
Wales for me are something timeless while also some “tristesse”, like nothing is for ever.
There fore black and white is more powerfull
The bird brings brings hope, or life, it balances good with the wales.
BTW, i used Xnview and only adjusted the curves, first to remove the horizon (the most precise part), and added some brightness in the end.
Despite no clouds here, I could play with this forever 
Agfa LUT, Defringe and adjusting CA several times.
ART (Almost RawTherapee, in this case) 
That was one of my biggest obstacles in finding a good edit. The haze just destroyed the sky.
