Winter Walk

[swmdrayfan]

Investigating the nature trail on a sunny winter's day.

[dbutler]

Again, I can see what drew you to this and it's a great scene. But I think that it's "too much" to look at. I would like to concentrate on just a portion of the scene I think. Right now, I think there are two sets of trees competing for my attention: There's the one on the left, with the horizontal branch. And there's the one on the right, with the weighted down branches. I think if you cropped it to make either of these your focus, you'd have a much stronger shot (I favor the one on the right, if you wanna know - and I KNOW you do!).

[CaraRose]

Very pretty but seems to lack a central focus. I agree with Dbutler, that focusing on a smaller area would work better and give the eye something specific to be drawn to.

[livin4lax09]

it needs a definite subject. While these pictures are fun, they benefit a lot more with something the eye can focus on, like the other said. Maybe a small tree in the foreground. It just needs to draw the attention somewhere.

[swmdrayfan]

Crop,crop,crop....that's all you people think about . Seriously, I must consider your points, and will take another look at everything I posted today. I'll play with various aspects of the cropping tool, saturation, and every suggestion I've heard so far.
(now we're gettin' somewhere ;) )

[Overbeyond]

On first look i found this a bit too much without a focal point. Then I wheeled my chair back and viewed it from a distance and I thought it really looked well. The winter colours and light looked great.
But it just needs that little bit of added interest.
Tom

Ps: I thought your post on lack of response was very sincere and contained valid points. I for one can be choosey about which pictures I respond to. Your words have brought it to my attention that I have been unfair. I will make it my business to be more inclusive in the future.

[swmdrayfan]

Thanks Tom, when I was out for this 'walk' I went a little deeper and off the beaten path to see if I could find something else. The way the sun was shining thru the trees appealed to me, and I snapped different shots just to see what would turn up. It wasn't really in my mind to find a definate focal point, and judging by some of the comments, I erred a bit in not looking to find one. As I read thru these responses, I am writing down the main points people are making, and hope to put those to good use in the future.
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As a result of my 'rant', I've gotten immediate results with regards to input from the people that really can tell me what I need to know in terms of composition, framing, and conveying what I want a photo to say. If I've struck a nerve with other forum members, that's good. By learning from all of you, I can better assess my own needs and skills. It will also make me a more capable 'critic', if you will, in assessing the work of others. In the end we all learn from each other.

[jar_e]

Same as everyone else, though I'd recommend you crop with your viewfinder not your editing program. Take time to find a composition, and rattle off 5-6 pictures with different settings. It's easier to know what to crop if you know what your looking for than just taking pictures and trying to find a crop.

You'll get it, it just takes practice!

Jared