Here to Create

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I see many things wrong with this photo, and yet I like it. Perhaps it’s the colors, the way blue shades into deeper blue, drawing the eye down. Blue is a calming color; maybe that’s why I like this photo so much. Or perhaps it’s the subject, the way the tree leans out, yet grips the rock firmly with its roots. And I like the audacity of the red leaves on the left, catching your eye among the cooler colors. Whatever the exact combination of elements, when I see this photo my shoulders relax, I breathe a little slower, and I smile. I have a feeling that I’ll need this kind of serenity in the frenzy of the month to come.

To make this photo better, I think I should have taken a step back. I remember getting close because I wanted to capture as much of that beautiful blue as I could, but stepping back would have helped the composition considerably. I wish the tree on the left wasn’t cut in half. I wish the tree leaning out was framed so that the fork landed in one of the sweet spots of the rule of thirds. Similarly, I wish I had tilted the shot up, so that the red leaves hit the lower left sweet spot. I like the patches of light on the rock and on the trunk of the center tree, but it washes out the color of the leaves a little too much. Technically, there are probably more problems with this photo than good qualities. And yet, it appeals to me. It just could have been so much more.

What do you think? I’m always working on developing my skills and welcome your input. Please leave your feedback in the comments.