Too Much Silouhette ??

[blackdog71]

I would really appreciate some feedback on this picture, I love it! it was just the shot I was trying for, I think I caught the late winter sky just right and I like how the trees are framed in the arch.I have posted this on a couple of photography sites and the main criticism has been too much shadow/silhouette would love to know what you all think?

Croxden Abbey (Ruins)

[coldphoenix]

I don't know if it's too much silhouette, but I feel there's certainly something missing from this photo. I think for a silhouetted photo to work well, the subject of the silhouette has to be a very prominent, recognizable feature that can hold its own even when lacking detail. I think the problem we encounter here though, is while the arch is recognizable, its neither all that remarkable of an arch nor is it framing something all that remarkable--which is something arches are good at doing in photos. I see the trees, but barely, they are too low in the frame, too far off and thus too small, and once again not all that remarkable of a subject.

Possibilities if given the opportunity to visit this location again, or some place similar...frame the setting sun in the archway, frame a nice big gnarly tree in the center but make sure it fills the archway frame, a person, a cat, etc. I guess unless its a truly monstrous arch, or maybe repeating arches, its just not all that compelling of a silhouette.

Things you might consider to improve the photo as it is now...crop the sides a bit, as well as from the bottom, attempting to eliminate a lot of the unnecessary darkness.

[AnnaV]

I think it's a lovely shot, but I'd definitely cut off the bottom quarter so your window isn't so centred.