What's wrong with this?

[dylan0edwards]

this shot I have always liked...but there's something about it that I don't like...just can't put my finger on it.. what do you think? any suggestions for improvement would be great too.

[IABoomer]

The sun rays are interesting and you've kept some color to the sky despite shooting into the sun, which is good.

My first thought was, everything is stuck in the middle, so it's kind of "eh". There's a tree right in your direct line of sight, but there's little detail to it. It's hindering the view of the sunlight dancing across the water. Had you hit it with some fill light (reflector/flash) it might have been more compelling of a front and center subject.

The horizon line is also pretty much right in the middle, so I don't know if the sun and clouds are supposed to be the subject or the light reflecting off the water.

If you get the chance to shoot here again, think about what it is in this spot that draws you there and what you want to get across to the viewer. If it's the light on the water, maybe get down closer to the water and fill the frame with that, leaving the far shoreline toward the top of the image. If it's the tree, make sure we can see the detail and don't leave it in shadow. If it's the sky and how it pushes through the branches, aim up more and get the water out of the picture. If it's a bit of everything, shoot wide, offset things from the direct middle and give some contrast between open areas and busy areas.

[zona5101]

IABoomer nailed my first thoughts upon seeing the image...

[SwissJon]

Couldn't have put it better..

[Preeb]

Yes. The horizon and the tree crossing dead in the center gets your eye stuck there. For your next shoot, try to keep the rule of thirds in mind as you compose each shot. It isn't a fixed law, but it still shouldn't be broken unless you are doing so with a specific intent.

[mosgood]

Besides the fact that the tree & the horizon lines intersect dead center, I also see that the flare is brighter than anything else in the photo. I find it painful to look at it because my eye is drawn right to the flare. I like it but it's too bright!!! Ouch! I like the rays,but it detracts from the rest of the picture.

If you have a chance to go back to this location or some place similar, I'd try using a fill flash on the tree while keeping it either to the left or the right side of the middle, & also place the horizon line either above the middle or below it. Please see postings around the rule of thirds. Sometimes you can get away with something dead center, but in this case...it's holding it back from being a strong photo. Flare isn't necessarliy a bad thing, but it shouldn't be the most prominant part of the picture.

Hope this helps!

Marla