Foreground help with this stream shot

[TravisL]

I've been trying to do better with my compositions when I take shots. This stream is very nice but there needed to be some foreground interest. So I found a branch and placed some maple leaves on it. I was wondering what you guys thought about how I created this foreground subject. Does it add to the interest of the photo?

Thanks.

[katia]

sorry Travis, can't see the photo! did you upload it as an attachment? or post it from an external site?

[TravisL]

I had some trouble at first!! Got it fixed though!

[Bruce A]

Hmm - unfortunately the leaves on the branches in the foreground look obviously contrived. Other than that I like the slow shutter effect and your framing, but the greenery needs taking back a notch or so.

[Crabs]

I tend to agree with the above comments.

I actually think you could lose the branch in the foreground all together. I think the rocks are interesting, then you move back into the silky water movement and then the vivid green of the trees.

[dakwegmo]

I think the problem you're having with this shot is that you seem to have two completely different ideas working in the image with nothing to tie them together. The bottom half of the image could work as an image by itself with the leaves, water, and rocks. The branch creates a nice visual flow along the line it follows, and the rocks inside that line pull you in so you're eye is constantly wandering around that part of the image. The problem is that is such a strong visual element that with nothing of equal weight in the background. So the background becomes a distraction. The thing is there is an interesting image working back there, it just can't compete with the one working in the foreground. That's not to say that you couldn't have used a similar background, but in order for it to work you'd need to have something to draw the viewer's eyes into the background: a repeated pattern, a strong graphic element or contrast.

The take away lesson here is to simplify the shot. Work with one idea and eliminate anything that doesn't support the main idea of the shot.I cut the image in half and attached both halves to illustrate what I mean by having two main ideas working in the shot.

[GOOFYRUFUS]

I think Dakwegmo's second crop is perfect. The leaves look contrived but his second shot still has a really nice foreground with the rocks on the lower right and makes a perfect composition.

[TravisL]

Thanks for the critique! I'll use this for the next shoot!

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by GOOFYRUFUS

I think Dakwegmo's second crop is perfect. The leaves look contrived but his second shot still has a really nice foreground with the rocks on the lower right and makes a perfect composition.

That's interesting; I actually think the first crop is the much more compelling image.

[newolympusowner]

I think the branch looks out of place in this shot. The creek and the slow shutter speed give the effect of movement, and the branch looks added to the shot. Sorry but that is my opinion here. I do live the shot not the branch.