Do any of these work as promotional shots?

[nps474]

I'm currently completing a Graphic Design degree, recently I have been taking classes that require us to create mock-ups and stuff for promotional work. I needed some practice and thought this forum would be a good place to post the results. I used some photos from today's visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens in an attempt to recreate some of the stuff I saw in the gift shop (postcards, calanders, ect).
Do any of these work for you guys? (I'm still new at this)

[KenB]

I really like the second and the last. The blade cutting across the flower in the third shot is distracting and the cutoff flower in the first just seems... cut off.

Personally, I would consider moving the text more off to the left on the last shot and maybe down just a hair. In the second shot, perhaps an application of the rule of thirds, moving the flower off to the side and putting the text in the blank space? That's my taste though. I still think those shots are very strong for promo material.

[AlbertHurwood]

The second one is excellent, either as a promo shot or on its own.
As already said the blade of grass in the third is quite distracting.
I would certainly pay a few visits to the gardens to increase your range, but they are very good.

[readingr]

The photo's are really good and the colours are wonderful; As for promotional we need to understand a bit more of how the photo's will be used.

For me the photos are of flowers and just adding botanical Gardens on there doesn't do it for me. I would like to see a wider view of the place and the fauna that they display and not close ups of flowers.

Now if they are included in a brochure with other photos then they could work. Just my opinion of course. My degree is in IT but these would not make me want to visit the place.

Roger

[nps474]

Hey you guys, thank you very much for you honest and thoughtful comments. I can see now how that blade of grass is distracting. I agree its hard to just add a line of type (destination name) and call it a promo, but I think there is an art to it (blending words with imagery) that requires a lot of practice and experience.