[Getting detail in surf]

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help.

Did exactly what you said in this photo and surf has turned out just how I want it. And asky is very much improved too.

[Getting detail in surf]

Curve adjustment/green channel has made a big difference. Thank you for that. Having a bit of trouble with the surf, but have fiddled around using an eliptical gradient overlay and that has made a little bit of a difference. So many different functions and so much to remember, but I keep bookmarking everything.

Thanks a lot - the above has already helped a lot. Of course, the RAW photo with the correct exposure makes life easier in the first place!

[Getting detail in surf]

The surf under the windsurfer is what I am want to achieve each time. The sky has that usual slightly grey tinge to the blue once again.

[Getting detail in surf]

Thanks for replying. Not quite sure why the foreground there is some pink in it - bad editing on my side.

I always shoot in RAW. I was using a 120-400 lens. Settings were at shutter speed priority, f14, ISO400 (which should have been at around 250) and auto WB. It was a cloudy day with a rain on the way. No exposure compensation. This was an underexposed photo and I had to do quite a bit of editing to make it look decent.

My query is:

Sky: Not just with this photo, but also with many other photos that are at a good exposure, my sky is always left looking slightly on the greyish blue side and I cannot seem to fix it.

White water/surf: I like to grab a bit of detail in the surf (talking about the main stretch of white surf below the windsurfer). I get that detail if I reduce the highlights, but then the surf looks very dull. I would like the surf to look brighter with a bit more detail in it. 

Hope the above is a bit clearer. The smallest of suggestions is welcome. Thanks.

[Getting detail in surf]

I take a lot photos of windsurfing/kitesurfing etc. I am always disappointed with the white surf as it is difficult to get a bit of clarity in it without it being blown out or underexposed. Any hints how to improve this? I am also having problems with the sky colour. I've tried looking for tutorials on the subject but can't find any.