composition help?

[mrteacherdude]

I agree with the others about the roses being distracting and that perhaps more of the cabin in the frame would be a good thing. I do like the moss a lot however, and it looks like there is some mist or fog in the background, which appeals to me. My first impression of the photo was not one of a slave cabin necessarily, but I definitely got a feeling of a simple dwelling in the bayou or deep south. My imagination could easily go from there to slave cabin, poacher, moonshiner, etc. I can hear harmonicas and frogs...

As I'm thinking about it, I suppose that may be somewhat opposite of what you were trying to achieve with the softer look though. As far as that (softer look) goes, I think you were pretty successful. I do find that the roses distract though. Perhaps backing up and framing such that more of the cabin and more of the rose bramble is visible and not such a dominant feature of the foreground would help. As phil24 mentioned, I think I'm looking for more information about the cabin; door, porch, etc.

[baajero]

It's a great picture but I wish those pink flowers werent there, the cabin and the tree are gorgeous enough to warrant a picture... besides there are more pink flowers at the end of the picture in the far corner to add some colour... But if you can repeat it... I take the picture from just infront of those roses

[Barry Jackson]

You've done the hardest part and that is having an emotional response to a scene. You can learn composition and how to improve, but it more difficult to learn how to feel.

For me the two areas that compete for my attention are the bright spot beyond the cabin and the pink/red flowers. The moss is a nice element and could be used.

With the angle of shooting and the crop as given, black and white or a brown monotone would have worked better for me. that would eliminate the color accent but would leave in place the bright spot which is not where you want our eye to rest.

Taking two steps to the left would have allowed us to see more of the cabin and maybe would have resulted in better framing. I agree the door would be a good element to have.

Keep trying. You will get it.