Mixing Colour and Grayscale

[calcuttr]

Hi All,

First time poster and photography newbie here - just wanted your opinions on this recent shot.

I wanted to really emphasise the tree in this shot (i think just because the shape and colour of it seemed perfect in the surroundings), so I chose to keep the tree looking natural, but grayscale everything else.

I would appreciate opinions on:

1) Whether you think the grayscale/colour mix works
2) Overall composition (as you can see i tried to frame the tree through some stone arches that were nearby)

EXIF here:
Taken With: Panasonic Lumix FZ28
Exp: 1/60
App: f/5.6
Flash: None
Focal Length: 13.3mm
Exposure Programme; Manual



Many thanks

[nemesis256]

Beautiful shot! I think the color mix works very well. As far as composition, I was going to say you should move to the left a bit to balance the rock walls, but then you would loose some of the tree. So I think it's fine the way it is.

One small problem I see is the tree trunk. Originally I thought the vertical truck of the tree behind it belonged to the colored tree. So that was a little confusing. The trunk of the colored tree is also green instead of brown. Was this done on purpose?

[calcuttr]

Hi, Thanks for the kind words. To address this:

Originally Posted by nemesis256

Originally I thought the vertical truck of the tree behind it belonged to the colored tree. So that was a little confusing. The trunk of the colored tree is also green instead of brown. Was this done on purpose?

I never noticed that before, but you're right, there is that issue with the two tree trunks being quite close together. Any advice on what I could do about that, subtly?

Also, thinking about the green tint on the tree trunk, that was just the natural colour of it, i didn't tint or saturate it at all during editing. Maybe the grayscale contrast just increases our perception of the colour in the picture. It was a sunny day so the colours were very vibrant.

Thanks for your help Nemesis256