Is it compelling enough?

[navcom]

I went out early this morning and shot several different locations. As usual, I had some keepers and some tossers. On this particular shot, I'm not sure where to fall. It's of an area of dead, white-washed trees in a swampy area near the upper Mississippi River. The colors were truly astounding and a thin layer of fog was rolling across the area.

I would like to get folks' opinions as to whether this is compelling enough. While the front tree is a main subject matter, I feel the shot itself might be a bit boring as the tree doesn't appear to be strong enough. I desperately wanted to get closer but another 2 feet and I would have been in 3 feet of swamp water.

What do you think?



Pentax K5
16mm
ISO 80
f/14
0.8 sec.

[EOBeav]

My suggestion would have been to get closer. It looks like you wanted to but then thought better of it :-) I wonder what would have happened if you stood back (if possible) and used a longer focal distance. Get that tree approximately the same size and shape as in this image, but bring the background a little closer to you. Just enough so that the one tree remains your subject, though.

I do like the colors and atmosphere you've captured, though. It also might be interesting to go the other way and go completely monochrome to see what tones you could pull out of an image like this.

Hopefully that gives you enough thoughts to get a good discussion going.

[navcom]

Thanks for the reply Rick. I like the idea of stepping back and using a longer focal length. I even had a telie with me but left it in the truck and didn't give it a second thought. I think I might go back and try a practice composition to see what it yields. The spot is only a couple miles from home.

I think compressing the depth a bit with a longer focal length might add to the comp. Too bad I probably won't get colors like that again for awhile!

[Doug Sundseth]

I love the mist and the light. It looks magical. But I think I agree with your instinct that the subject tree doesn't have an interesting enough shape to be your primary subject.

I think using a telephoto might work, but you'll need to work to keep the subject separated from the background. I would consider shooting from the ground if you go that route, so that you can put the top of the subject in the sky as you have here.

FWIW, I feel your frustration. I've had that feeling of being unable to get to the right place to take the shot I'm sure exists. Waders, perhaps?

[Krusty79]

You need that bald eagle from your SYS shot to fly onto the tree in this shot!

I have missed shots because I didn't have waders. Or a hovercraft!

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

You need that bald eagle from your SYS shot to fly onto the tree in this shot!

I have missed shots because I didn't have waders. Or a hovercraft!

LOL! Maybe both can work in my favor...have the eagle CARRY me closer! They can carry off small dogs. Why not me?