First Attempt At Composition

[jimwhy]

Hi, brand new to this site and photography. I just got my camera back in October and have been tryng to absorb all the information in DPS.
This shot was was mt first attempt at really composing the shot and would appreciate any and all comments. Thanks in advance!
Jim

[Browno]

Hi there and welcome. As I point out whenever I post at the moment I'm a beginner too so my opinions aren't necessarily correct but I hope they help you as others have helped me.
I like this shot, particularly because it reminds me of a park in Liverpool I occasionally visit when I'm up there.
My only criticism is that although my eye follows the path nicely and around the lake, the tree on the right kind of brings me to a stop and blocks off my view. I want to move to the side and see round it if this makes sense ? But that's only my personal view so others may feel differently.

[Vernian]

Hi! Welcome to DPS, I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information here. My composition is the thing I'm working on at the moment, so take this post with a grain of salt as well :-)

Composition wise the first thing I noticed is that your horizon seems to not be straight - makes me feel like I'm sliding sideways. Other than that, the use of the S curve is great as is the fact that you didn't put your horizon in the middle. My eyes also gets drawn to the bare tree just off the centre, though I'm not quite sure what you could have done about that one, maybe if you showed just a touch more of the tree in its autumn glory on the right hand side the balance wouldn't feel quite so much on the other tree.

For a first try this is pretty good, keep it up and good luck.

[dlambert]

I think you're right about the horizon, but it's not off by much. I've learned that when I'm looking at horizons, I have to be careful not to get drawn in by optical illusions. In this case, I think the way the shoreline falls away from us is creating much of the tilt that's apparent. I took another look at the vertical elements here (trees, fence posts), and they seem to be slightly tilted, but not by as much as my eyes are telling me.

Having said that, if a viewer perceives a tilt, that's relevant. Maybe straightening a bit and leaving that tree on the right in place as a vertical "bookend" would counter the perception that the scene is pouring off to the right?

[EOBeav]

It's a nice scene, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at. My eyes follow the path, move to the water, then I'm not sure where to go from there. Also, this might work a little better if you waited until sunset (or just before) to shoot it. You'd be amazed at what the change in light can do for a photograph. Keep shooting!

[Corey Thompson]

I'm a beginner so take this with a grain of salt. It looks like you're using the leading lines of S curve to draw your viewer into the picture. The problem is, the leading lines don't draw your viewer into a particular subject. My eyes want to follow the S curve into the photo but I got a bit confused as to what the subject is that I'm supposed to be drawn to.

[jimwhy]

Thanks Browno, I appreciate your time. Yeah, wasn't to much I could do about that tree, will keep things like that in mind. Thanks again!

[jimwhy]

Thanks Vernian! I appreciate your time! I do need to watch the horizon as you said. I see what yoy mean about the tree. Thanks again!

[jimwhy]

Thanks for your time dlambert, I appreciate it! Yes I do need to be more careful about my horizons. Thanks again!

[jimwhy]

Thanks fro your time eobeav. I appreciate it! I see what you're saying about where am I supposed to look next. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again!