Help with composition - A rose and a castle

[ablehm]

I am attempting to improve my photography and am starting with a focus on improving composition.

The following photo was one that I took while working on the "Rule of Thirds" assignment. I was experimenting with shallow DOF using the rose as the focal point. I could not decide if the whole castle in the background was too busy and had several other shots that were much closer in on the rose bud with just a portion of the castle. What do you think?

I also need to get rid of the tree growing out of the top of the rose. I thought the bokeh would take care of that but it is still quite discernable.

What do you think? How can I make this better the next time?

EXIF Data:
Exposure: 1/500
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO: 200
Date: 15/02/2009 12:58pm

[AnnetteJ]

That's a tough one. It's an interesting idea but it doesn't quite work for me. I think because the background is too large and busy and the rose is not dominant enough in the picture. It is also not on one of the rule of thirds intersections in this crop?

I wonder if your idea of having less of the castle in would help? Do you have any of the other pix you took available, on flickr for example?

Because the rose is pale it probably stands out enough on the walls, but I do wonder whether a good option might be to try ducking down a bit more and shooting in portrait, getting the rose to be higher than a tall tower in the background and using the sky as a backdrop for it? Maybe the one on the far right of the castle, or just between that tower and the one next to it? That would lose the tree as well. Or maybe picking a rose a bit further away so the castle is a bit smaller in comparison?

Your title made me think of canal boat paintings!

[ablehm]

Thanks for taking the time to respond and for the feedback. It is very helpful.

I liked this idea, but I could not quite get it to work the way I wanted which was the focal of the rose bud, but yet capturing the castle in the background. Here are the links to a couple other photos that are cropped more closely on the rose with less of the castle in the background.

Neither really captures the idea well. Oh well, keep shooting! Thanks again for looking.

[windrider86]

I would think a larger rose and a rose in bloom with a much more bold color might do the trick. Place the rose in an area where there isnt a tree growing out of it. You might also consider shooting on a day when the sky isnt so bright or at least a cloudy day. The whote sky is so bright it automatically draws the eye straight to it.
To me, the closer crops arent working either. I agree a crop is needed just not such a drastic one.
I think part of the problem as well, is the horizontal line that's created by the shrub. It cuts the image almost in half. Get rid of that and you have a better chance.
The idea is a fantastic one and I commend you for your creativity!

[ablehm]

Thank you windrider for the feedback. Those are great suggestions.

I will have to try this idea again in the spring when there should be a lot more color and location to choose from in the rose garden.

(this time was only the one bush and always with that pesky tree in the viewfinder! lol)

I appreciate the advice as a true beginner to all of this!

[windrider86]

You can always cheat and run to the store and buy a rose all ready in bloom. Or even buy a good silk rose so you'll always have one on hand