Composition suggestions

[rmeglath]

There is an old broken down barrel in my backyard that I believe once had a plant or something growing in it. Over the years it has broken down, the metal bands have rusted, the wooden boards have started falling out and it has filled with several fall's leaves. There is a beauty in this dereliction that I am struggling to capture. The bands provide some nice curved lines but somehow I can't seem to find a composition that I like. Attached are two pictures I have taken. I would like to have any suggestions. Perhaps moving some of the leaves and scrub out of the way?

Nikon D90
18-105 Nikkor AF

Photo 109 - 1/125 F5.6
Photo 154 - 1/60 F5

[mvalentin]

Play with b&w, from there you could easily adjust the composition of the image accordingly. I maybe wrong, but when an image is lacking of composition, I tend to manipulate it to b&w and play around with the image. But that's just my 2 cents. =)

[Surprised]

Hello. I'm not an expert at all but I'm happy to offer my 2 pennies from this side of the Atlantic!

Firstly, of your two shots, I prefer the second (although I don't think you're supposed to post more than one picture at a time in this forum). The light in the second shot is slightly less harsh and the barrel stands out better against the background.

Secondly, as far as composition goes, I might try and make a contrast between the decay of the barrel and the leaves (both dull and brown) and the new green shoots that are popping up. Perhaps you could zoom in and focus particularly on one bit of greenery with the barrel identifiable but not in too sharp focus in the background (ie a fairly shallow depth of field).

As I say, just my 2p...

[sketching]

You could try a straight-down angle by standing on a step ladder or a chair and holding your camera over the top, pointing it downward. Depending on how far the wood pieces are angled outwards, you may be able to get a pleasant, more abstract image with contrasting wood plank and leaf textures.

Otherwise, I would agree with Surprised to move in closer, starting from the angle of the second photo. I would want to put more emphasis on the wood texture with out-of-focus leaf texture in the background.

[Mike367]

Besides trying different angles, I would try a different time of day. Starting about an hour or two before sunset, the light comes in from a low angle with a beautiful golden quality.

[DivotMaker]

I will chime in also, if you dont mind..

As the others have stated, I would like to see a different angle.

Using the second photo, maybe use the missing board as a focal point, allowing the board on either side to frame the shot.

Consider dividing the image into thirds, with one third for each board and a third for the open area.

Play with the depth of field, maybe a shot with the wood grain in sharp focus and the leaves less. Or with the leaves AND the wood in focus.

Bringing in the contrast of the green and the old wood would be a nice touch, as mentioned before.

You really have a great subject here, but I think you should break the shot down to some simplicity....otherwise my eye is constantly moving around the image.

FWIW.