Mike: I think it would have worked with the main tree placed a bit to the right, but this still works for me as presented. Wouldn't work with the central placement (for my eye) without the fence and the smaller tree to the left. I like the curve of the fence and the gradual fade as you get farther into the background. What does it look like if you just crop in from the right?
I really like the way the second (cropped) version looks. The big tree catches my eye right away but the fence pulls me to then past the smaller tree and finally through the rest of the photo. Nice capture.
yes, less sky, still at 3:2 ratio. maybe a tiny more foreground next time, but mostly not much sky above the tree. (sometimes easier to accomplish on the computer with cropping). as a different feel, getting a picture with someone walking (or 2 people) would be great, if anyone is walking.
thanks all! we're forecast more snow tonight and it's only a 45 minute hike to get there, so I might wander back out tomorrow and see if I can get a couple of different framings!
