Critique - Framing and composition

[JmprSteve]

First, a big thanks to everyone on this forum, I've learned alot (and have more to learn) from all the information, suggestions, etc that you've shared.

I was taking a hike up a hill in the Phoenix area and was watching all the families going up and down. While taking a break I noticed these cacti and it reminded me of the people I've been watching. I tried to compose the shot, so that the cacti appear to be going up the hill, and used a vertical format to suggest height. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Taken with drebel, kit lens, AV priority (5.6).
Thanks...
http://images.fotopic.net/y5m11q.jpg

[Steven M. Anthony]

The cacti look like they pattern the rocks in the background to me. If you hadn't mentioned the people you had seen, I wouldn't have known they were there to pattern after.

The vert. format indeed suggests height. But I think if you had captured a couple of people in the shot (even if it meant shooting horizontal)--especially a parent/kid combo, it wouls have better communicated your intent.

[JCK]

Sorry to sound negative, but I think that a main subject shouldn't compete with a background for attention in both pattern and color. What I'm saying here is, that perhaps it would've looked better if that beautiful sky I can see on top of the shot, was the background for the cacti, since it is a different color, and doesn't have a busy pattern.

[arumdevil]

more backround blur would help to separate thw subject. not so easy with the kit lens though as maximum aperture at 55 mm is 5.6 which is what you used.

hace you considered getting the canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens? I have just bought it recently and it would have been perfect for this situation. It is also much sharper than the kit lens. definitely worth the money.

[JmprSteve]

thanks for the input, I could soften the background with photoshop but I have to agree that the background is busy. I am looking at getting another lens, but for now the kit lens will have to do. Again thanks for the input!