smoke thru the pines

[tvoelcker]

Here is a shot I took rather quickly from my driveway as I was loading up to go to a portrait shoot. Being in a hurry is the reason I neglected to choose a more apropriate aperture .
I'm curious as to opinions on the composition.
Yes, the tree is in the center dividing the scene into two parts. However, it was the only way to capture the effects of the sun rays on both sides.
Is the tree too much of a distraction thus making this another shot for the delete bin?

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[mpf777]

I like it, personally I think it has this mystical feel because of the light rays created by the smoke. As far as the tree in the middle it works for me because of the symmetry created with the light rays on both sides of the tree. The one slight distraction I see is the brighter upper left corner.

[tvoelcker]

Thanks for the comment mpf777. You are correct that the bright spot to the left is a bit distracting.

I see that you have only 14 post but yet you have dove right into offering critiques.
CONGRATS ON THAT !!
I think you will find that by offering critiques it will improve your ability to see things within your own compositions while out shooting photographs.
I hope others will do the same by jumping right in..

[mpf777]

I know that is something I want from forums like these is to find out what others do/don't like about my photos or their suggestions and therefore I want to offer the same level of feedback to others. Plus like you mentioned about it helping to see compositions better for your own work.