Thoughts on this photo

A friend's father-in-law passed away suddenly. My friend had his FIL old spurs and he wanted me to take a photo of them for remembrance. I found an old cedar post on which to hang them. Any preference or suggestions regarding these two shots?

The exposure looks good to me. I think I would have gone with f/5.6 instead of f/2.8 (in the landscape composition). That way, the bottom of the post, the lower right part of the rear spur, and the buckle on top would be in focus. Of the two orientations, I think the landscape one is better. In the portrait one, the gray mass in the lower left corner is distracting and there's more of the out-of-focus post.

Good choice of the post. It has a lot of character and deftly symbolizes age and weathering.

I do have one suggestion for the landscape version. I'm not one to slavishly adhere to the rule of thirds. However, in this case, since it's a memorial piece, I think moving the subject to the left would leave room for inserting text on the right, perhaps with the father-in-law's name and birth and death year. Just a thought. A mounted and framed print would be a nice holiday gift for your friend.

Thank you for the suggestions. I wondered about the portrait photo, that was some old lumber on the ground in the left lower corner.

A slightly different angle on the landscape orientation.

I think I would wait for a darker setting with a little light reflection on the spurs.

I would also convert it to monochrome. Colour isn't doing anything for the image!

I like the portrait orientation better, except for the old lumber at the bottom left. I agree with the waiting till a little light is on the subject to maybe get some specular highlights. I do like the shallow depth of field.

I have to agree... not much drama in that lighting. Its all too even if that makes any sense. Otherwise, technically a fine photo.

Thanks for the insights. It was one of those overcast mornings so the light was soft but very even. Might have to try it again with some different lighting

Have you considered a b/w conversion. Colors are not the highlight of this image. Rather textures rule. Perhaps emphasizing that via a conversion might soot it well.

I will go back and see what a B&W looks like. I did not do that yet.

Use more dramatic lighting

Add something to the photo - shoot wider - put the spurs and post in front of the corner of a barn - or hay - or saddle - or tack room - trees in a field - .....

Good suggestions, thank you!