The battle of Poltava cross

[nikki_u]

album: Sorochiskaya Yarmarka

Some questions:
1. is not it too dark in the right bottom corner?
2. do you think the trees in the left is inappropriate?
3. is the sun is too white?
4. may be the photo needs some clouds?
5. may be you confused by the strong geometric distortion?
6... have you any other remark ?

thank you in advance for any comments and feedback

ps
general information: the photo was made near the museum "The battle of Poltava" (the part of Great Northern War)

exif info
NIKON D70s
ISO: 200
1/800 sec
7.1
12 mm (12-24 tokina)

[windrider86]

you are correct, the tree to the far left is a distraction. For me, the color is as well.
Photos like this scream black and white!

[carlyfan]

I really like this shot! I love how the sun is right behind the cross, almost like a halo, casting the long shadow on the grass. I don't think the shadow is too dark, there is still some detail. I think it actually looks better without clouds than it would with them. The tree might be a little distracting, but overall I love it! Stunning and dramatic angle!

[nikki_u]

carlyfan
thanks for your comment

Originally Posted by windrider86

you are correct, the tree to the far left is a distraction. For me, the color is as well.
Photos like this scream black and white!

Do you (and all) think this one looks better?

[RecurrentNerve]

I disagree about the black and white personally. I find black and white is less effective with bright, sunny shots, and the colours are nice and rich in the original shot. The trees are distracting though; if you can remove them without the obvious cloning marks I think it would be a nice shot.

[carlyfan]

I agree about the color. I like the rich colors in the first one much better than the black and white one. And I really don't mind the trees that much either.

[wal]

Personally i like bnw better for composition of this type of shot, the perspective.. makes it more interesting in bnw.. I can feel the height and elevation of the cross on top of the hill..
Try setting at smaller aperture.. use F9/F11 in a bright sunlight and iso 100,,