Weaver's Needle Composition

[pilgrim4now]

Hi,

This is the first time I have posted one of my shots for critique. I took this shot of Weaver's Needle at dawn and I like it a lot. However, I would be interested in others' opinions especially with regard to composition since I didn't exactly follow the rule of thirds for this image.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Mike

EXIF data:
Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Shooting Date/Time 6/12/2010 7:57:18 AM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Autoexposure Bracketing -2/3
ISO Speed 100
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Focal Length 18.0mm
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Servo AF
Drive Mode Continuous shooting

From best_of_2010_06_12

[mrteacherdude]

My initial thoughts were that the photo seemed pretty cool (color) with rather deep shadows for dawn, but then noticed the time the photo was taken. For this time of year your colors make sense.

But you asked about composition... I think less of the open blue sky would do the photo justice by making the needle more dominant. I thought I liked the tree branches coming in from the left side at first, but then found my eye kept going there instead of the needle and associated landscape. IMO, if you crop some of the sky and shift the needle to the left but without losing the canyon to its left, and clone out the tree branches, it will be a very nice composition. Opinion though...

Otherwise, I've never seen this part of the country yet and I'm thinking I need to go there

Edit: oops. I don't think you can shift the needle to the left and still retain the canyon to its left easily, the needle looks like it would need to go to the right. I like seeing the canyon there because it gives me a better sense of the relief in the area.

[junglebear]

I pretty much agree with mrteacherdude, I think the needle needs to be shifted to the left, so some of the branch is removed.
I'm not sure if any of the sky needs to be taken out, although if you're going to crop then maybe crop to keep the ratio.

[pilgrim4now]

mrteacherdude and junglebear,

Thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback. I see what you mean about the branch being too prominent. I cropped the original image to keep the canyon but lose some of the branch. I think the needle becomes a stronger focal point with the new crop. If you have a chance, let me know what you think...any other comments are also welcome.

Again, thanks a lot.

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From best_of_2010_06_12

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