Pine Cones, composition help

[kahleekat]

I took this shot a while ago, and I like it, but I think I need some help with how to crop it. I don't know exactly where I was trying to focus so that makes it difficult for me. My eyes seem to wander everywhere without finding a place to rest... Any help is appreciated (:



Camera: Nikon D3000
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 60 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire

[chicagojohn]

Originally Posted by kahleekat

I took this shot a while ago, and I like it, but I think I need some help with how to crop it. I don't know exactly where I was trying to focus so that makes it difficult for me. My eyes seem to wander everywhere without finding a place to rest... Any help is appreciated (:

Camera: Nikon D3000
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 60 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire

Since you specifically asked about a crop, I would take out the cone on the left. That one is a little less sharp. Possibly crop so as to just eliminate one over to the right.

There may be some other things to comment upon, but that would be my view insofar as the crop is concerned. Maybe you could try a crop or two for us to consider. I did try the one I mentioned to you in PSE, but I'm not sure I was able to get an image with sufficient resolution to work with as far as the rest of it.

[amoringello]

Brutally honest? I would probably scrap it.

yet... you might try is a 2x3 ratio crop down the center, then tilted about 30-60 degrees on the center cone. You'll get a nice line with the branch still leaving the cone as the main subject.
I just don't like the gaping out of focus hole next to it. It seems to leave things off balance.

Maybe burn down some areas to bring attention back to the cone as well.
Its all a bit hot and flat.

[kelleyrie]

I call do over and work on getting that branch to have an angle that draws your eye into one pine cone. That way you have a focal point because right now there is no one place to put your eyes.

[photog1107]

Am assuming the overexposure effect is purposeful... but as for the crop, I'd go straight up the middle with a vertical and put the center cone in a slightly lower left third and allow that to become focal with the line of the nearby branch leading upward and out of frame.