Gamache Loc: Clarissa, MN

One of the many old barns in Minnesota.

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Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, Gamache,
I recall two other images of yours, the portrait of "Boo" and the big oak tree. In each instance the subject and title were clear and explicit.
This image contains several interesting potential,subjects, but it's a bit unclear, in spite of the title, that the barn is of any more importance than is the old silo or the big, naked tree (another oak?)
This points out the importance of trying to find a more unequivocal view of what you intend the center of interest (COI) of your image to be. Also, if the barn is, actually, the important thing to portray, I'd suggest you walk around and make exposures from a variety of perspectives, making every possible effort to find a composition that, although it may also contain the same silo and tree, clearly shows the barn itself to be your unquestioned subject.
It would also be more pictorially interesting if the barn were portrayec from some point-of-view other than a straight side view...perhaps a closer view with a low camera angle showing both a side and one end of the barn which would naturally a sense of depth to the subject and the image as a whole.

Looks like you had a grey, overcast day, but acheived a good exposure and good focus.

I really like old barns and when the "old barn bug" bites, I recognize that I'm not in for just a couple of exposures ...fifteen to twenty-five shots may be more like it, trying the greatest possible variety of views and angles. That's called "working the scene" and it increases the chances of geting a "keeper" or two from the shoot.

Keep at it! I look forward to seeing more of your perspectives and views of a variety of subjects.

Best regards,
Dave in SD

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Something about this picture that holds my attention. I would like to see a little more contrast added. Other than that, it's a nice still life.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Cropped too tightly for my taste. As it is cropped, I do not know if the subject is the tree or the barn. By going to a more landscape layout, the picture would be clearer and instead of the barn and tree fighting each other, they would be like an old couple dancing together. I like the vertical thrust of the tree as contrasted with the calm, orderly horizontal barn. Distracting flowers in the foreground. I would clone them away.

I would have looked for a focus distance and aperture so that both the barn and tree are in focus.

Nightski

I love this image for what it could be. I think the composition is almost there, but as ABC1234 has said it is a bit of a tight crop. Perhaps there was something to the side that you didn't want to include. In that case I would frame up a closer crop of the scene. The contrasting textures of the tree, the brick silo and the old barn wood are awesome! There is something here to be had, I am just not sure you have it. The barn is not in sharp focus and for me that's disappointing as I love the detail of old barn wood. The oof plants in the foreground are distracting. The great thing about old barns is that they probably aren't going anywhere and you may have plenty of time to play with this one. I certainly would.

I think with this shot .. less is more .. might be the thing that helps the most.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Hello Gamache, your picture has all the elements needed for a very nice picture. If at all possible a different angle might produce a far better image by getting the tree and barn more separated. Mention has been made of the focus. I fell that the focus is plenty good enough and that it is a soft image because of the very soft flat lighting conditions. Dave has given good advice regarding working the scene.

Graham

Gamache Loc: Clarissa, MN

Unfortunately if I moved to the right I would be standing in the Mississippi River. And to my left and in front was a half mile of fence that was posted. And "Minnesota Nice" does not included stepping over a farmers fence line, that can get ugly real fast. Also the close crop on the right was to crop out a stack of bright orange buoys and some boats. Thanks to everyone for your input, this place isn't to far so I will go back and try again now that the river has receded.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Gamache, I don't think you understand what was said about the angles. You need to be honest with yourself about the suggestions. There are reasons, and there are excuses.

It IS possible for you to move to your right to separate the tree from the barn.
You can move forward and to the right down that fenceline in the bottom right corner of the image.
Yes, you will probably have to change your focal length, but that is all part of it.
As this place is close by, I assume that "Minnesota Nice" would almost certainly include asking the farmer if it is OK to cross into his field to take some photos next time you are there.
And who knows. the answer might be "Yeh sure, shoulda just done it. Hey, you like old barns do you? you should go shoot this old rundown one I have on my back forty"