Elk Neck State Park, MD

All C&C wecomed! What do you think of the composition? Contrast?

Thanks in advance!

I think that there is a lot of potential here, but I'm getting mixed feelings when looking at it. The tree in the foreground closes up the image and prevents the feeling of a wide, sweeping space, but the background suggests that that is what we are supposed to see. However, I like that you didn't darken the sky overly - the darker ground grounds the image nicely and prevents the sky from being the subject.

From a technical standpoint (since you asked) there is not a lot of detail in the shadow areas, which prevents my eye from lingering anywhere for long. In general, this looks printed down a little too much (overall a little too dark). Lightening the entire image might liven up the trunk of the nearest tree, and give some detail to the shadows, but the message that you are trying to send will still not be overly clear.

If you want to give the impression of a large, open area I would consider taking a few steps forward from this standpoint to put the tree behind you. This will remove the 'frame' created by the two trees that focuses the viewer's eye in the dead center of the image and allow it to roam a bit more. If you are interested in the tree trunk (it's got loads of potential) I would move in on that and try to keep the shadows from getting too dark.

Don't give up on this subject - keep working it, and think about how to show us what it is about this place that draws you to it...

- Randy