Post processing ; challenging problem

[kevin99989]

The first photo is the post processed one, the second is the original (unchanged raw image).

There are obvious problems in the post processed one. Just wondering how you would handle the dark/light contrast areas differently? ie - the part where the water meets the sky. (Note: there is no tree behind the largest pillar of water. Its background is the sky)

I used Lightroom, with 2 different exposure brush "densities" on the water area near the sky.

Also, please comment on the effect that I'm trying to achieve. I wish to highlight the water as well as the sky.