That Tree Branch? (Page 3): I tried quick and dirty removing with the spot healing brush of all of the branches from the center and it leaves a hole in the center. Maybe portrait...

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I tried quick and dirty removing with the spot healing brush of all of the branches from the center and it leaves a hole in the center. Maybe portrait orientation by cropping out most of the tree and removing he remaining branches.

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

Everyone looks at photos differently. I can see where some think the dead tree is a distraction What I see is a dead plant reaching out to a live plant. Keep the dead tree!!! But, as suggested, try to clone out the ends so they do not touch the cactus.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Orphoto wrote:

Ahem....is that a sky replacement? To me that is a bigger distraction than anything having to do with or without the branch.

There's certainly something which does not add up with the sky and distracts. I have never viewed a sky at dusk or dawn that is darker in the direction of the sun.

HRoss Loc: Longmont, CO

For me, I love the shot, however the branch is a distraction. If your goal is to draw the eye to the Saguaro cactus, perhaps dodge it a bit, and also burn the Prickly Pears. I think the mood of the shot is wonderful.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

Orphoto wrote:

Ahem....is that a sky replacement? To me that is a bigger distraction than anything having to do with or without the branch.

Arizona skies often look just like that.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

scallihan wrote:

Arizona skies often look just like that.

Arizona skies may look like that but not with the location of the sun in the image. I agree with Grahame above that the sky is a distraction. The sky seen in this image is looking west at sunset. The clouds, dark on the underside and pink on top are cause by the terminator (line between night and day). But this image has the sunsetting in the west with sunshine on the cacti coming from the south. Draw you own conclusions.

317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In

It’s just personal, but I really like the scene especially the sky and I find the dead branch in my way.

JonTB Loc: Lake Frederick, VA

Nice photo and lighting. I would photoshop/trim the tree limb back to the upper right pink cloud. This would help the limb frame the photo, give it depth, and lead the viewer's eye to the Saguaros and beyond.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

Arizona skies may look like that but not with the location of the sun in the image. I agree with Grahame above that the sky is a distraction. The sky seen in this image is looking west at sunset. The clouds, dark on the underside and pink on top are cause by the terminator (line between night and day). But this image has the sunsetting in the west with sunshine on the cacti coming from the south. Draw you own conclusions.

The sun is not South but Southwest at sunset which puts the image looking Northeast.

Reuss Griffiths Loc: Ravenna, Ohio

letmedance wrote:

The sun is not South but Southwest at sunset which puts the image looking Northeast.

So if we're looking northeast then that's a sunrise sky, not a sunset and the sun is shining from the northwest at sunrise? The whole point of the comment in the first place is that the angle of the sun and the background sky are not compatible that's all. No critique on the quality of the image or the compositional values was intended.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Reuss Griffiths wrote:

So if we're looking northeast then that's a sunrise sky, not a sunset and the sun is shining from the northwest at sunrise? The whole point of the comment in the first place is that the angle of the sun and the background sky are not compatible that's all. No critique on the quality of the image or the compositional values was intended.

My impression and I know from his other post that it is indeed a sunset, that means that his back is to the sun, look for shadows, they are hard to find. As the sun is stetting clouds closest to the horizon start turning orange yellow first followed by those higher in the sky. I might be wrong but it is my understanding that is the way the Atmosphere bends the light. I only responded to your question about the sky, no ill intent intended, sorry. Do not forget that the Sunset is behind the shooter so we have no Idea of the sky behind still involved in sunset

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I think it helps to frame the photo. I would leave it alone, as is! It's a beautiful photo, as is! If you really must fu, wait...fuss with it, make a copy and leave the original alone!

MTDesigns Loc: Corryton,Tenn.

I think it would be better without the branch.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

If the photo was taken recently, then I’d say the photo was taken in a northerly or slightly NNE direction. The shadows on the cacti on the left and right foreground and the tall saguaro on the center right are all on the same side. As for the clouds, haven’t you ever seen a late evening sunset where a cloud on the western horizon blocks direct sunlight to some areas but not others? That’s what I see here.

I’ve seen it plenty of times in the Midwest when it starts to clear off after a thunderstorm rolls through right before sunset. That’s when you get partial rainbows in the east or nice circular rainbows with sections missing here and there. It’s a cloud on the western horizon blocking off sections of sunlight.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

letmedance wrote:

My impression and I know from his other post that it is indeed a sunset, that means that his back is to the sun, look for shadows, they are hard to find.

The shadows are very easy to find, clearly showing the direction of light, from the left. This is seen within the lower cactus hard shadows.