greymule Loc: Colorado

Tree.

Question-

Is it better to have the background sharp in an image such as this, or is it better blurred?

Opinions?

photopop44 Loc: Roun Drock, Texas

Not an easy question for me to answer but one that I have asked myself. What are you taking a picture of, the canyon, the little tree thing or how the two relate? If it’s the tree is there enough of it in the picture to be a worthwhile subject for a whole picture and all of the rest is just background? If it’s the canyon why is that little sprig in the photo? I think it’s OK for it to be there if there’s a reason for it and based on that reason you will decide how to treat it. You may want to say “I’m up here on the edge with this tree looking at the canyon ridge a LONG ways away”. So if both are subjects or part of you story then both should be in focus, if the canyon is background then I wouldn’t focus it. If it’s the canyon we want to see and not the tree then I’d get the tree out of the picture. So that’s my opinion and it’s worth exactly what you paid for it.

greymule Loc: Colorado

Well reasoned, and more or less my thoughts. This image was to observe the desolate canyon with a bit of green struggling to grow above it. The contrast of life and barrenness. Color and drab. This isn't a great image, but the only one I could with which to illustrate the choices.

Thanks.

tk Loc: Iowa

Agree with the above post. For me, if it was the tree and the relationship, put the tree in a more dominate position. My eyes want to focus on something and there isn't a lot of tree to do that with.

nakipie223 Loc: Watauga, Texas

I would cut the left half of the picture, and just have the mountains in back of the tree compliment it. Which is what I did, and it looked nice.

tk Loc: Iowa

I like this better. But if you wanted the canyon and the tree everything must be in focus.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

My opinion: It depends on what you want? Are you trying to show off the tree or the canyon? If it's the tree I agree center it in the shot. If it's the canyon focus on the canyon and frame the tree the way you have it.

I see what you wanted, perspective. I do the same thing all the time. I live in Phoenix so the canyon is about
4.5 hours north. We don't go very often but here's what I did for perspective in a couple of shots.

Do you have any more from the canyon? Would love to see them.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

Interesting situation and one that deserves a " it depends" answer.

Using a focus point and a blurred area is fine to isolate or help enhance a subject.

In this case, the canyon seems more important than the few branches, thus maybe it should be in focus and not the tree.