Rough-barked Pine

[ImageMogul]

This rugged old pine tree has been hanging out at this pond for many a year. This spot is on Berry College Campus in Rome, Georgia (USA). Critique appreciated.

http://imagemogul.smugmug.com/photos/356572990_7aeZH-L.jpg

Regards - Mark

[joedlh]

Interesting subject. I think if you tried a few different things, you might come up with an image that better conveys what you're trying to say. It's clear that the tree is the subject. However, the scene to the right is a distraction. Did you include it to convey a sense of place? If so, it needs help. Perhaps if you cropped out the two shores, you'd have an interesting contrast between the rough browns of the bark and the smooth cooler colors of the water reflecting the sibling trees.

On the other hand, if you want it to be a study of the bark, I would not include the pond at all.

Also, try a different time of day. It looks like this was taken a little after or before high noon. You'd be surprised how much more compelling an image is with dramatic morning or late afternoon side-lighting.

[Robert_Lay]

I feel that too much of the interesting detail is in the small area top right. The bark on the tree, which is supposedly the area of interest, is less interesting than the detail in the top right. The bark is a monotonous pattern. I think it would play better were the bark dodged in the left half of the trunk to give it more 3-dimensionality. In other words, there is too much flat lighting directly onto the bark in addition to the side-lighting. I want to see that the trunk is round, not flat.