With or Without Shoe

[Greg McCary]

Well I found myself at the lake again with no prop. I guess I need to find a fishing pole. Should the shoes go or stay?

[Grandpaw]

Having a tackle box and fishing pole in the same spot would be great but I'm not to sure about the shoes. I tried it with and without the shoes and think that I would leave them out, Jeff

[OldClicker]

My eye goes to the shoes and stops, but I don't think that there is enough in the image without them. What about out at the end (too small???) or at least farther out and pointing away? – TF

[hminx]

I see the shoes then I go looking for the owner, not sure but think maybe they should stay.
Is this an early morning shot, because it looks like someone has walked through the dew on the planking

[caleb]

Maybe not having the shoes so prominently placed will lead the eye into the photo a bit more. Midway down the dock on the far side will put them at an intersection of thirds

[Greg McCary]

Thanks all, I guess the shoes have to go.

[Rocket_Scientist]

Thanks all, I guess the shoes have to go.

Oh, no... they should stay! But like OldClicker said, maybe a littler farther out,
though not necessarily all the way to the end. If they were positioned over deeper
water, it would kind of look like someone went for a swim, and little farther out they
would not dominate the picture as much.

[Canyon Hiker]

Creative thinking as always. I like the idea but I have to agree with everyone else. An old fly rod and tackle box like GP said would be great. Maybe an empty stringer hanging off the side of the dock, or a small crawdad trap might add to the scene as well. Great shot overall.

Darin

[Greg McCary]

Thanks RS, Darin, I see what you mean.

[draymorton]

I like it fine with the shoes, compositionally-speaking. But it would work better if it were a more interesting pair of shoes, just something more graphically-compelling.

Still, I do like the shot quite a bit.

[Greg McCary]

Thanks Dray. Maybe next time I should wear my pumps.LOL....
Maybe some old boots.

[BlueRob]

Barefooted for me ;)

[Shebang]

This is a crazy idea sparked by the crazy roaches and cake-climbers around here -- and is just for grins -- make the shoes really big and put them at the end of the dock. Tehehehehe.

[readingr]

It's acceptable as is, without the shoes I feel it would be bland, but the lighting is excellent. The trouble I have is that there isn't an obvious story behind the shoes.

What would be interesting is if there was one shoe on its side near the water as if someone had jumped in creating a bit of a mystery or forgotten to pick it up...

Roger R.

[draymorton]

Old boots could be great!

[gahspidy]

Yes, the shoes should stay. The composition is fine. I agree that a more interesting pair of shoes would bring the photo more interest. But it should stay as it is now.

[ladybugamanda]

I'd keep the shoes but move them on down the dock! It will keep the eye moving and make you wonder where their feet are!

[Greg McCary]

Dray, Gary, Ladybug, Thanks. I have an old pair of boots that would be perfect.