sygilligan Loc: Lititz, Pa

I am trying to learn about composition. I find many of my photos lack a focal point or are too busy to tell the story I want or to capture what drew me in. Can you tell me how this photo could be improved? I was drawn to this park due to it's beauty. We had less than stellar weather and less than good lighting . On our way down to this waterfall, it started to really snow. I was surprised any of my pictures turned out.

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

I like the lighting in this shot......it sets the mood for the rest of the composition.Nice job

RoysJungle Loc: Ohio

I like this shot to me it tells a nice story about the tree holding on to survive. The only problem I see is a few washed out highlights, mostly in the white of the bottom right of the waterfall, but I don't think it could be fixed without taking away detail of the roots, unless you use HDR, which I think the roots are more important.

usetobe

I love the tree and the roots. I do see what RoysJungle is talking about. I am so new at PP work but could you just select that area and then adjust just that area?

I think the picture does tell a story.

myts10 Loc: SE Ohio

As said, the lighting is good, I like it. Good eye to notice a photographic opportunity. I like both the tree and the flowing water, but not at the same time. As you said too busy and no focal point, or confusing focal points.
I would move to camera left, getting as much of the tree root as possible in the lower left of the frame with the trunk going out the top or top right of the frame. The center of the root mass should be at the lower right rule-of-thirds point, of close to it. The water fall will be in the background but not distracting form the focal point of the tree root.
Next move to camera right, putting the top of the water fall at the upper left rule-of-thirds point. The water will flow across the frame and out the lower right side of the frame. A good diagonal composition. The curving tree trunk may be in the shot but you don't want the root distracting from the water fall focal point.
It might be possible to get both subjects in the shot where they compliment each other. But I would have to be at the scene to figure it out. Any way that's my 2 cents. Hope it helps with out being offensive. Keep shooting.

sygilligan Loc: Lititz, Pa

Thank you all for the feedback. This is how I learn. I have a few other photos of the same location. One has more tree and less water flow, I wonder if this would be a bit closer to myst10s suggestions.

ftpecktim Loc: MONTANA

Yes you can, select the area with the lasso tool ,go to image >adjustments>highlights/shadows and adjust he highlight slider to your liking.

Cecil Loc: United Kingdom

Hi Maam
I am attaching the original and the edited version. What do you think?
Cecil

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I don't see a story there but the framing and composition look good to me... I'd have framed the shot just this way.
The shutter speed and exposure are just right for the shot so as far as I'm concerned, you did good.

sygilligan Loc: Lititz, Pa

Thanks Jimmya. Cecil - I like the edited version but it is a bit small for me to see detail here. I like the differentiation in color, especially the water. Did you use Photoshop?

bullwinkle Loc: New Hartford, Missouri

I like the photo yet...I'm not sure. Maybe it's because all the action, roots & water, is on the left, and the right side is kind of plain? Just a little unbalanced for me I think.

Cecil,
Sorry, IMHO I don't think your editing improved it at all.

sygilligan Loc: Lititz, Pa

This is a different version of similar photo. Better composition?

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

Does this picture tell a story?

Honestly? No. One can invent one but the one you want to tell? Nope, sorry.

Good picture, that's it.

bullwinkle Loc: New Hartford, Missouri

Personally I like this one much better. However, that's only my opinion. Which one do you like best?

sygilligan Loc: Lititz, Pa

I like the first one better but I am a waterbug so I like the way the water flows out from the falls and around the rock. I also am biased, that park had really wonderful rushing water everywhere so the first picture reminds me more of why I loved that park so much.