Here is a simple shot. The scene grabbed me because of the lighting and the way the subjects stood out against the sky.
does this come across for you?
thanks.

http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//500/20071229-1478-109.jpg

The one thing I miss here Gary is the detail in the dark area of what I think is the apex/angle of the soffit; can it be retrieved? I feel this is a very important area that should be seen. Having this I feel would feature even more the unusual perspective you have come up with here. The bright tree branches, though working really well against the sky, maybe need a little something extra and that might just be the presence of, say, one bird to be perched on a branch near to the right of the frame (but then again again that might draw too much attention from the soffit). With all that sky exposure must have been a bit of a pain but you have managed the light so well.

Tom, thanks for the comments. Yes, I can certainly retrieve detail in the upper area of the soffit, but left it as this because I felt the fade out was important (for me) I will experiment with bringing back some more detail. Yes, the peak of the soffit/roof may be well worth showing This is one of those shots that I think only the photog who captured it could love LOL
thanks for the time, Tom.

Gary,

I love the lighting and like Tom I wasn't sure about the shadow, but I am thinking you have it right as it is, but will be happy to change my mind if you find that it is better with a tad more detail.

Excellent composition.

Roger

Yes, the branches are shaped almost like fingers of a hand clutching at the sky.
It wouldn't work if the clouds weren't there, or not that shape, it all goes together.

I reserve judgement on the shadow detail until you post the edit :)
I like it just as it is, but I might like the other one more.

I think I'm more in agreement with Paul - I like the branches combined with the clouds in the sky. I like how the clouds almost radiate out from the corner with the sunlight onto the branches below. I think that too much detail in the corner would distract from the branches, but I reserve the right to change my mind if an edited version shows up. :p

PC

Gary I love the limbs reaching to the sky as if asking for rain. The processing gives it a surreal mood. The swirling shaped clouds are also nice with just the right amount of detail. I do see a couple of small spots in the clouds, maybe sensor dust? Great work as always.

Roger, Paul, PC, and Greg thanks for the comments. I'm in total agreeance about the clouds. they wee very important in this compsition. They provide a balance in the other end of the frame and a reason or story about the brances reaching out.
I have tried to recover any detail in the shadow area and was surprised that there was almost none at all. Those shadows are very deep in the black. I'm so accustomed to being able to recover shadow detail that I was quite surprised. So that experiement is out of the question. PC, I agree with your point about the detail.
Greg, I looked at this at 100% and I do believe you are right about the two spots being dust. Have removed them in the original. I looked at other images from that day in the same areas to see if those spots were there and there are none. I'm thinking that because this shot was pointed up some dust might have rested on the sensor at that moment and fell off after lowering the camera i will have to pay attention to this when i post process from now on.
thanks all.

The gestures of the tree and the clouds oppose and balance eachother very well. The simply portrayed design of the tree makes a beautiful composition, the slip of building stuck in makes a geometric form wich contrasts the organic feeling of the rest of the picture, but works well to balance the composition. I look back and fourth from the organic to the more geometric and structured pieces, and am drawn to it for a good amount of time.

And as usual, awesome tones.

thank you F-15 and good to see you back on the boards again.

The one thing I miss here Gary is the detail in the dark area of what I think is the apex/angle of the soffit; can it be retrieved? I feel this is a very important area that should be seen. Having this I feel would feature even more the unusual perspective you have come up with here. The bright tree branches, though working really well against the sky, maybe need a little something extra and that might just be the presence of, say, one bird to be perched on a branch near to the right of the frame (but then again again that might draw too much attention from the soffit). With all that sky exposure must have been a bit of a pain but you have managed the light so well.

Ok, I was certain that i could retrieve more detail in the upper corner and was very surprised when I could not. Hmmm turns out i was trying to retrive the detail in the exported, edited Tiff file as opposed to the RAW dng file. I'm not sure where my head is lately . . . .
Here is an edited version with more detail in the area that Tom suggested and also a bit more snap and pop as well. I am pleased to say that I agree with Tom here and feel the slight showing of more detail is working for me. Here it is . . .better or for worse . . .
thoughts

http://gallery.photographyreview.com/data/photography//500/20071229-1478.jpg

Thanks for posting this Gary. I agree it has a nice improvement and the added pop as you say has given it all more life.