Another B&W: I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no...

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

(Download)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Golden Rule wrote:

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

When I look at an image I ask myself, "What is the photographer trying to tell me. In this image it is not clear to me. What if you took one of those rocks, the one with the tree growing out of it and converted it to a Vertical. I think that isolated with the dramatic sky would be outstanding. That isolates the composition.
You live in a great state. I have on my Bucket List to visit Palouse to photograph old barns and the green rolling hills in May-June.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Golden Rule wrote:

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

To me it broods of an end of the world theme. Just a little more brightness might enrich it but still will be end of days shot.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

PixelStan77 wrote:

When I look at an image I ask myself, "What is the photographer trying to tell me. In this image it is not clear to me. What if you took one of those rocks, the one with the tree growing out of it and converted it to a Vertical. I think that isolated with the dramatic sky would be outstanding. That isolates the composition.
You live in a great state. I have on my Bucket List to visit Palouse to photograph old barns and the green rolling hills in May-June.

Thanks for the suggestion and I will try that. Maybe that is why I keep scratching my head with this photo! You will love the Palouse area and drive down gravel roads to find amazing old barns and great scenery! I did it a couple of years ago and plan on returning this year. A must if you like ice cream is to go to Ferdinand's for the best and biggest serving of ice cream. Also, South Fork Public House is a fabulous restaurant. We ate there twice in a 4 day stay and took an order to go and ate it on top of Steptoe Butte waiting for the golden hour.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

drklrd wrote:

To me it broods of an end of the world theme. Just a little more brightness might enrich it but still will be end of days shot.

Ha! That gnarly tree that is hanging on against the brooding clouds do give it that end of world theme.

glenn mayher

When a photo holds your attention more than five seconds it's a good photo.

wetreed

I like it the way it is. I think it’s a great picture and would not change anything.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Stunning!

alx Loc: NJ

Golden Rule wrote:

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

When I download, it magnifies and crops to a great photo on the left. Then I slide to the right and another potentially great shot. I can see 2 wonderful pictures after cropping. Maybe there are just too many good pictures crammed into one photo for it to work when they are competing with each other?

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Golden Rule wrote:

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

I would try cropping off a little from the bottom to improve comp.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Great suggestions to try in post processing. I'm writing them down and will try each one.

wetreed

Golden Rule wrote:

Great suggestions to try in post processing. I'm writing them down and will try each one.

The composition is excellent. I do not understand why these people want you to change it.

Charlie'smom

wetreed wrote:

I like it the way it is. I think it’s a great picture and would not change anything.

Ditto

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The two rock formations seem to have the same visual weight, and appear (though I know not true) to be same distance from me, so my eye can only bounce between the two. I agree with the idea to cut the scene up to smaller stories and you might consider some dodging and burning to relieve the sameness of tones - but just in key areas where you want us to look first or be drawn through the image.

edit - after lightening some and playing with crops, I think there is a way to keep all three of the largest rocks

I'll pm.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Golden Rule wrote:

I keep returning to this photo and cannot decide what disturbs me about this picture. Does it not have good enough composition to draw in the viewer? Perhaps, there is no story here? I like the brooding sky and the sun peeked through as I took the picture to give me lots of highlights to work with. Maybe it is just not good enough and that is why I continue to look at it, ha!

Nice shot.