is the tree distracting?

[laurel2sg]

Camera: Pentax K-7
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 58 mm
ISO Speed: 200

I'm practicing the balance. You can see
on the left - on the right
a group - a person
old - young
western - eastern

but there is a tree in between. Do you think it's distracting?

[chris2471]

I see what you're trying to do, but for me, the tree is the focal point of the picture.

[Crysi]

I think it is distracting.

[Bluenoser]

I think it would look better if you cropped out the person on the right.

[zona5101]

it does appear that each group is looking at the tree...

[wingsabr]

could also work if you cropped out the tourists (I think that's what they are).

[neoHUNTER]

Hello, just like they said, your subject should be simple as much as possible. You can shoot people but should only in limited number, if its crowded in the frame, it is not pleasant to look at anymore. So, you either eliminate the tourist, as in literally speaking.hehe. and leave the tree and that girl.

[laurel2sg]

Thanks, guys for your comments which very much help me to improve my future pictures.

[MovingStill]

OK, here's a thing. I find here that the tree is the dominate feature. My eye will go off to the girl, to the tourists, or to the red lantern, but always return to the tree. From your description of what you intended to achieve, yes, the tree is a distraction.

There is really two separate images here depending on how you crop: the tree with either the girl, or with the tourists. I think a square crop with the tree and the single girl would be the stronger of the two images as the style of her dress adds an implied location to the scene, and there is the interaction of her looking at the tree as she passes.

But then...
From your intent, I think a stronger image would have been to stand (or zoom) back and include more of the location (a temple?). It would add context and scale to the interaction of the groups. The scene has potential to work

Probably the lights on the roof could be cloned out also.

Hope this helps.

Carl.