Fall in the Arizona "Desert"???

[A.C. Gellert]

So which one looks better????

[PhotosbyChuck]

I vote for the vertical. Two things are "wrong" with the horizontal in my opinion. There is too much visual weight is on the ground -- which isn't interesting -- and there is no focal point -- which causes the eye to wander without purpose over the image. The vertical puts the red leaves clearly into dominance.

But then, maybe I'm partial to vertical shots of foliage...

[A.C. Gellert]

Thanks Chuck. I see what you mean. I had a number of different images of this little "glen" of color amongst all the green in the local area. I personally liked these two over all of the others of the same area.

[RSStory]

I would disagree with chuck but I would say that a slightly different crop is going to help even more. I think the path can be the focus of this horizontal shot. If you were to crop just below and just to the right of the small tree on the right I think the path would become the focus and that would lead you through the image.

When we are looking at our shots we sometimes have to look for the shot within the shot. I think you definately have a good shot here. I might suggest a slight bump in curves to give a little more pop as well.

Scott

[A.C. Gellert]

Originally Posted by RSStory

I would disagree with chuck but I would say that a slightly different crop is going to help even more. I think the path can be the focus of this horizontal shot. If you were to crop just below and just to the right of the small tree on the right I think the path would become the focus and that would lead you through the image.

When we are looking at our shots we sometimes have to look for the shot within the shot. I think you definately have a good shot here. I might suggest a slight bump in curves to give a little more pop as well.

Scott

Scott..

Ok.. Cropping just below and right of the small tree...?? This looses the majority of the Red leaves...

[Electricseashell]

Try cropping the left hand side leaving the orange leaves. my eye wanders to the left so by cropping that side it would reduce that pull and focus more on the real path.

[RSStory]

Originally Posted by A.C. Gellert

Scott..

Ok.. Cropping just below and right of the small tree...?? This looses the majority of the Red leaves...

yes it does lose most of the red leaves. But to me, the red leaves so far to the right in the image were a distraction anyway. I think it is an improvement in the crop but the shot still doesnt work well. Perhaps because it still isnt drawing my eyes down the path. If you want to send me a large jpg of that shot I will show you what I mean.

Scott

[PhotosbyChuck]

As I said in my original post, I think the original image lacks a point of focus. I don't see the road as a "road" because it's too wide and it's the same color as the ground throughout the image. Here's what I mean....you'd prefer the viewer to see the blue outlined object. It would draw them into the photo. But instead, they (or at least I) see everything below the red horizon as a single object...the ground.



I'd suggest cropping to the other side to limit the horizon line and keep the red leaves. By lowering the horizon line and framing it's length on both sides, the road is more apparent.



That said, I think the shot is also hampered by the overcast sky. The bright white also draws the eye. unfortunately to crop it as well would leave you with only the right half of the above image. Which might not be so bad, if you have enough detail in the original.

[Arbib]

Originally Posted by A.C. Gellert

Scott..

Ok.. Cropping just below and right of the small tree...?? This looses the majority of the Red leaves...

Yes, I agree too...The only other thing it lacks is contrast to get your eye on the path...

Here is my take...Dodged the path to bring into play the "Bright" areas that Sun is lighting up. and to Burn the right side to keep the red leaves from pulling you eye away from the path...I also added a bit of staturation too...

I may have dodged too much..But in real life..thses area'a would very bright anyway, if it wasn't so overcast.

[A.C. Gellert]

Thanks to all of you for your comments.

A couple of point to "maybe" clear up a few things...

1. I was in a shady glen covered by many trees.
2. It was on purpose.
3. it wasnt an overcast day.
4. that isnt a path or road or walkway. Just a natural or semi-natural break in a grove of trees.
5. I took the shot to show that there is a Fall, and leaves do change color in Arizona, where many say we dont have fall or the changing leaves.

I really do appreciate all that you have pointed out and in some cases the thought that you have put into your replies.

Read the above sentence again x5. ok I am very appreciative. not making light of your thoughts.

now my original question... which one looks better?