Hollow Tree

Hi guys.

Second pic I've put up here for critique.

I'm new to SLR photography, having got my 450D around a week or so ago. We went for a walk to a nearby park at the weekend, taking my new toy along, and came across this interesting tree that looks as though it might have bee the victim of a lightning strike a long time back.

I took the shot handheld using the kit lens. It was originally taken in portrait alignment but I prefer it cropped this way. Levels adjusted in ACR, cropped and sharpened in Elements 6.

Any feedback?

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Nice! I could see myself sitting with my back against the tree and just looking at this scene for a long while.

A couple of ideas... I think I would have liked the tree to be not so centered, maybe crop a bit on the right side. Also, the tree forms a frame, with a different angle maybe that could be used to frame a house or some other feature in the distance.

Thanks Anders!

Nice idea about framing, next time I'm there I'll see if there's anything interesting in the background to line up.

How about reverting to my original portrait alignment and this crop instead?

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Very nice shot, I agree a more off center crop would add interest but very nice as is. Isn't it amazing how this tree is able to cling to life against all odds. Great exposure, nice view and a very cool subject. Have you tried shooting here in the early morning or late day?

NH

Thanks Steve, no I've not been at those times armed with a camera yet.

It gets some great colours around Autumn when all the bracken and leaves start turning to reds and browns and the mists start developing too so I'm looking forward to getting up there early on later in the year.