Homemade Christmas Wallpaper Please critique

[FocalFrenzy]

I took this shot outside of my appartment building today. I took several shots at different exposures, but the lighter ones don't look as good as a desktop wallpaper. I don't know if there is anything I could do differently to make these close-up shots more eye appealing. Any suggestions?

[peeperita]

your composition skills are right on....but, your overhead lighting it a bit overpowering.....i suggest this shot again with a fill flash.....and bracket as you did before.....

peeper

[FocalFrenzy]

This image is a little lighter and would pass as a stand alone shot, however it doesn't look as good as a wallpaper. As you can see from this shot, it was drizzling rain (I was under a porch overhang), the lighting is natural, since the moisture caused my on-board flash to overexpose and blowout all highlights. I'll try to use some reflected light to fill up from the bottom on my next try. Thank you for your suggestions.

[Manila_Joe]

The second shot is very good. Trying some more post processing to punch the colour out a bit more is all I would suggest.

[FocalFrenzy]

Thank you. I'm trying to teach myself how to use GIMP.

[peeperita]

if you're not opposed to editing, you could bring down the overall value of your second shot to suit you.....the first one was too contrasted for my taste and led me to the assumption it was only lit by the sky.....the whites were too white and the shadows ate all of the details.....you have much more room to manuever in post work with the second image.....

if you don't want to edit, i still feel the second image beats the pants off the first...

peeper

[FocalFrenzy]

I agree. It's not that I'm opposed to editing, I'm just really inexperienced at it. I'll keep experimenting, and hopefully I'll get better. Thanks.