The Oak

Any thoughts on how to improve this image? Thaks

No, I don't think I have any thoughts as to how to improve it, but just wanted to say it's a great image in its simplicity. Very well done. I like the muted tones, as well. Cheers.

Wicky, first of all, this is a very nice tree with a fabulous branch system. You have captured it well. Because of the form of the branches the tronc of the tree is not in the center and this is good. You decided to keep the details of the branches visible and not to go for a silouhette view only. This also I like. The light tones dominate but there are good gradutaions between the light and the dark parts of the stem and branches. In the large view the very smallest branches are uniform grey and lack sharpness. This may come form the resolution of the camera or from some movement of the branches or from the processing of the photo. Never mind. It is not disturbing for a normal viewer and I think a print of the original photo would be sharper in the smallest details. There is only one suggestion for improvement. Show just a litle bit more from the ground as the ground vegetation seems cut in the air. Karl

Very interesting tree. I'm not totally sure about the toning. I think a contrasty B&W rendition could look better, but this is just my opinion and personal taste!

 

One thing I really like a little less is the lack of space around the tree. I would prefer to see that it had some space for "growing". A little more of the foreground could also be interesting.

Thanks for your critiques and comments. To me this is what I like so much about photo.net. Offering suggestions for improvement not just low ratings with no explanationan as to why. Thanks so much I really appreciate your time.

i'd pop the contrast a bit,

I agree with Matt. This is a great tree, and, like many great oaks which have lost their leaves, it looks like an etching. I would prefer white sky to show off the shadows on the branches. You could probably accomplish this with a simples levels adjustment layer in PhotoShop. If you don't like PS, you could go back and overexpose. Just a suggestion, of course it's your work.