Can this composition be improved?

[kaintheo]

Hi,

I saw this lone tree while driving out in the snow the other night and thought it would look good as a kind of sillhouette image.
I had to use a long exposure for this and then painted some light on forground in front of the tree. Then in photoshop I adjusted the highlights slightly and added a warming filter to bring a little bit of colour into the shot.

I have an idea of how this composition could be improved but would like your thoughts on this and any other points you might have please.

Thanks

Date taken = 3/12/2010
Camera = Sony A550 with standard 18-55mm lens
F-stop = f/8
Exposure = 73 seconds
ISO = 200
Focal length = 18mm
Flash = off

[dandellion]

Composition-wise, I'd like to see the horizon lower. Lower third line would be perfect.
Was your flesh on?

[kaintheo]

Originally Posted by dandellion

Composition-wise, I'd like to see the horizon lower. Lower third line would be perfect.
Was your flesh on?

No flash, the light on the bottom of the tree was painted by a hologen bike lamp that I have to aid me.

[autofocus]

For me, it's just a little too worked...I think I'd prefer to see the original without all the enhancements because I think it has all the makings of what could be an interesting photo

[EOBeav]

To me, the light painting takes away from the image. I do love the purples and blues here, though. Kudos for shooting at this time of the day.

[curelightwounds]

I don't have any problem with the composition. Moving the horizon too much and you'll lose the nice frame you have for tree.

The purple haze is putting me off a bit, it's too unnatural for a landscape.

[kaintheo]

Thanks for the comments, the haze itself is natural as it was foggy

[danbaileyphoto]

I think you're composition is very nice here, you have great subject placement and dynamic framing. The light painting is pretty cool, and you are to be commended for great experimentation, but in this case, the light is so good anyway that you may not need that in order to make this a great shot.

Did you shoot any without the light painting? If so, how did those come out?

[kaintheo]

Originally Posted by danbaileyphoto

I think you're composition is very nice here, you have great subject placement and dynamic framing. The light painting is pretty cool, and you are to be commended for great experimentation, but in this case, the light is so good anyway that you may not need that in order to make this a great shot.

Did you shoot any without the light painting? If so, how did those come out?

Hi,

Yes I did shoot some without any light painting, Here's one although I wasn't very happy with the blurred clouds.