A Dead Leaf

[Shawn7656]

I recently got my first DSLR I've been taking pictures like crazy. I had a hard time choosing a picture to add to the critique section because I can already see where I should improve in a lot of them. I'd like to link you guys to my Flickr so you can critique more than just this as I'd really love to get input on more than one picture (I'm not sure if this fits the rules of the board, but I'm a newby, sorry)



EXIF:
Camera Sony DSLR-A100
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 200 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

This is the picture I'd like you guys to critique. It's one of my favorites that I took over the weekend. I was wondering if there are any general ideas you guys have for improving.

I think my focus was a bit off but I was using manual focus on a new (for me) camera so that's to be expected I'm sure. Any input is welcome

Here's my Flickr account:
Flickr: Shawn7656's Photostream
After you get to the butterfly on the second page you've hit my stuff from last summer when I had a Nikon D5000, and that camera is no longer at my disposal

[sourav]

The left half of the frame is dead, there is nothing happening there and in my personal view, the top right is distracting me a bit.
Try to crop it so that the leaf is at the thirds of the frame.
is there any particular reason for the high aperture number, cause even a 5.6 would have been fine for your DOF.

[sgeary]

I second the comments above but also you may want to use PP to get the leaf a bit more contrast to lighten the leaf up a bit!

[Shawn7656]

Thank you for the suggestions.
How's this?

[T.R.R]

I think that your first one had a better crop, it was more dramatic then this one. I would keep the colors of the second one, but maybe darken them just a little, not much at all. I would use a little photo shop trickery to hide the background in the top right. To me an image like this one needs a dramatic feel to it, and your first crop did a good job of lending that feeling. Plus the first one was still well with in the rule of thirds, which is not a hard fast rule, don't not worry about pushing those limits. It's more of a suggestion then a "rule". If i had photo-shop with me and your permission, I would show you what I meant.

[Shawn7656]

Something like this?