The first one was taken in my backyard and the second one was taken on a walk around town. Let me know what you think. For some reason I have been getting into more and more black and white recently. I used to love colourful pictures but my views are changing.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/ontario_slacker1/IMG_1342.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/ontario_slacker1/IMG_1216.jpg

I like B & W photo's too.

Your top photo is the best of the two.
I like the composition and the feeling of the open gate leading to a secret garden. The view through the door could use some burning in in the hot spot.

On the window image the hedge is distracting, crop out the hedge and get it down to just the window with a little of the wall around it. The hedge draws my eyes away from what I think is interesting about this image. Nice reflection capture in the glass. The image could also be brighter or maybe that's my monitor.

Cheers,

Jim B.

I think the gate should be closed more so the texture of the wood will contrast the leaves that control the shot. It would also make for a stronger point of interest. The open gate reveals nothing interesting on the otherside so might as well use the gate itself as the point of interest. Or maybe bring a prop next time for the otherside of the gate?

The window shot need less bush in the foreground. Consider leaving just the top of the bush in the shot. It looks good in my browser as I scroll to leave just enough at the top. The exposure needs work to bring in some brighter tones.

Interesting ideas. Thanks.

IMHO of course.

thanks for the comments. What do you mean by burning not sure how to do that? And I also feel there is too much bush in the second picture I'll crop it out. I took another picture of the gate with it closed I'll post it up as soon as I get it.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j78/ontario_slacker1/IMG_1341.jpg

I like the black and white rendering of the subjects. I think the bottom one is definitely a subject that looks better in B&W than color. The bottom one, I think that it would look better if it was straight and level, meaning no tilt or angle. The reflection's an added touch. The top photo, I think I would have lowered the frame to show less of the top of the hedge/arch and more of the area below the door. That would be to lead the viewer to the door. The birdhouse is great. I would go back and shoot some more of this subject (since it's only your backyard, you dont have far to go....)

GB

its funny I've never even thought of taking pictures of this arch until recently and its been there for 10 years hahaha it turned out good though so I'll definately be going back there again to et better shots.

I like the first shot better. It's got that retro garden feel to it in black and white. In all honesty I'd shoot it in both black and white AND color. Color shots of the garden would have a nice green tint with the plants nearby and the black and white ones would be more retro. I think that arch and plants lend themselves to either black and white or color nicely.