"Moonstruck"

I took this on a very cloudy, cold night - with a gibbous moon hanging high in the sky. Rapidly moving clouds were blocking the moon light periodically. I was in a dark area and could not get the exposure I wanted. After several tries, I went closer to this tree which had shed most of its leaves preparing for winter. I knew that a distant street light will cast a gentle reddish glow on this tree when I expose long enough. I waited for a relatively low density cloud to come and obscure the moon just enough to provide me the right amount of light.

I would like comments on this photo. Specifically, the following: Do you find this interesting? Do you like the branches without leaves stretching into the sky? Do you like the reddish glow on the branches - like blood veins branching out in the body? Would you prefer a B/W version?

comments welcome.

This may very well work in BW. I like it, this is a good effect to mute the spotlight of the full moon and spread the light around. The red color, while interesting might be a little distracting. The strong diagonal lines are excellently composed. 

well worth the effort! i love it! i'm a rabid cropper to get the right composition... the bright red-orange of the trunk does appear  to attract attention to itself

Do you find this interesting?

     -Yes, very much

Do you like the branches without leaves stretching into the sky?

     - Not really, coverage of about 70% would have been nice (with the moon still between the branches) with open sky above.

Do you like the reddish glow on the branches - like blood veins branching out in the body?

     - No, for me at least Sodium Vapor lamp used in street lighting seems to play spoilsport. If you are interested in this type, may be you should try light painting. I guess you had the camera mounted on tripod (though shutter speed is not mentioned), so instead of depending on streetlight, you can try it with a powerful torch, may be you can get some interesting patterns.

     If I am insufficiently lazy, I myself might try it one day ;-)

Would you prefer a B/W version?

      - The best part of this image is the pale blue color you have got at 7.06PM.

I doubt whether you should forsake it.

HTH :)

Thanks to everyone for their comments.  I have a BW version above - would like your opinion on this. 

Ranga,  I agree with you that 'painting with a flash light' might have been a better option.  However, note that it generally works with reasonably long exposures - lasting several seconds.  In this case, I did not want the moon to get washed out!  Thanks for the detailed comments.