Western Still Life

It's been raining here for 3 days and I have been dieing to take some pics, so I am getting creative around the house. I took this one and am looking for opinions on it. I haven't shot any significant still lifes, so I think this one turned out decent. It gave me a chance to play with my strobes that I have hardly used at all since I got them. Any CC would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I know the hat is a little "hot", but I honestly don't know how to edit that out yet without making the rest of the pic to dark. Any help with that would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks,
Todd

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The subject matter is interesting. I find the content placement a little too contrived. The rope seems out of place graphically and I wish the backdrop was barn wood. The color is good. The theme is good. Sometimes I think the best way to capture a realistic still life is to become a part of it. By that I mean be the cowboy who placed these items, not the photographer who arranged them.