I use a tablet occasionally. Got it for CAD use, butdon't do much of that anymore. I tend to forget it's there( you want to see how cluttered my desk is ), but I like to use it when cloning as I like the more natural control.

I have a copy of Silkypix, but never really got to terms with using it, so I took the simple option of going with what I had already used.

MAybe I should dust it off and put some effort in to learning it.

Would you believe I've spent at least three hours on this shot so far
That's with Paintshop Pro 9
I used Digital Camera Noise Reduction, then about 4 different layers with alterations to Curves, Levels and Saturation.

I can't tell you how many times I scrapped it and started again.

I think he means this one Stephan

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-9570/alone-11042

You are best posting in Your Photos if you want feedback, the gallery is more a display area

Having said that: At first glance, I like the idea, but to my mind the image is missing something. The roof beams look a little out of focus and there isn't enough in the dark area at the bottom to hold my interest. However, I tried putting a piece of paper over that to simulate a crop ( no access to PS at work ), but that didn't help either.
But, that's just my opinion

I'm sure if you re-posted in Your Photos you'd have more feedback, from more knowledgable people than I .

I know, I know

And I agree, great clonign job Gareth.

You lot do have a lot of patience!

I only wish

Thanks Stefan.
Don't think I want to get into the "who's is the best"...wouldn't like to upset anyone
But yours does seem to have retained the more natural colour

Well done Mike.

To be honest, I had one I took at the weekend which I was going to enter....and remembered about it at 8pm yesterday Oops!

Thanks Tim.
One thing springs to mind from another thread. "Do we rely too much on technology?"

Looking at what you guys have done for me with various software, both shown on here and emailed to me: I don't know about relying on technology, but it certainly is a tool to be used when required.

Another thing I've noticed is that different people have managed to pull different things out using the various software. Maybe I shouldn't have owned up and just ran this as a challenge to test various software
What I did last night was to merge some of the different images to get the best of them all together. I'll try to finish it tonight and post it on here.

But once again...thanks folks!