johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Much appreciated Mike! I do like capturing the environment as is, and this ONE tree will be something I keep going back to until that perfect composition is discovered

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I do agree Poppie. It was one of my preferred compositions. But I am not happy about the horizon cutting through the tree. I have tried just about every angle (high to ground level) and it just keeps getting in the way. But challenge accepted and I'll keep trying.

Ourspolair

Flipping and reframing has made this much better, IMHO. Please enjoy the holidays safely and keep on sharing.

repleo Loc: Boston

I think it is a nice shot. I like it just the way it is. However, if it was my image, I would try to enhance the golden glow on the rocks and the edges of the tree if there is any there to enhance. If I was going to shoot it again, I would try it with a figure or better still a silhouette couple standing at the end of the ramp watching the setting sun to give the ramp some relevance. If framing left or right can't work, I would play with positioning the camera up high or down low or try a portrait format. You generally want to try to avoid centering the horizon on the frame, but it doesn't bother me the way it is. The tree breaks the line.
Like I said, it is a nice shot.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

My thoughts also. As it is, the ramp intrudes into the tree's space too much. If a reshoot is ever a possibility, as well as repositioning you could try shooting with a wider lens, which would have the effect of making the ramp recede further into the background. I think I would also prefer a little more space round the tree in all directions, and possibly shoot from a slightly lower perspective.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I think I'd look to reposition the shot and go landscape to minimise the impact of the ramp.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I like it with the ramp. It almost acts like a pointer to the tree. When you flipped it I think it is even a more pleasing image.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I see nothing that distracts from the power of the tree as the main subject.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I really like this image, so I decided to play with it a bit. In PS, I used the clone tool on "replace" and actually cloned all of the cement approach. I took a couple of runs at it, but what finally showed looked like a small spit sticking into the water with the reflection continued into the appropriate space. The remaining spit looked sort of natural (but I didn't enlarge it) and retained the balance necessary to the image. You might try playing with that a bit.

denverdon

I like the contrast of shapes and leading lines. I might crop the bottom just a little to bring the opposing shore a little below middle.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Thanks for all the further replies and suggestions. All of which are why I'm so conflicted with this composition. I do have pretty easy access to this location as it's about 10 minutes from my house, so I will be going back maybe today to try some of the great input I've received so far.

I might one day try removing the boat ramp, but like I mentioned in my original post, it's just not something I prefer to do, although I'm not opposed to it.


Again, all comments are fantastic and provide much to think about when I go back to "the tree"

L-Fox

I would change nothing. Good shot.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I don't really think that the boat ramp is the biggest issue here. The first thing I noticed is that the far shore cuts right through the tree. If it cut through lower on the trunk, it would be less of a distraction. There was one suggestion to try a lower camera angle. I would think that would solve both problems at once. It would put the horizon lower on the tree trunk and it would also minimize the effect that the boat ramp has on your composition. I like to use a fisheye lens for some landscapes. I would try the widest lens you have and get very close to the tree. Then put the camera almost to the ground. If you have a really wide lens you could probably get the entire tree in the photo without having to tilt the camera up at the sky. That would reduce the distortion that you would get from pointing your camera upwards. Just a thought.

I might add that I really do like this photo just the way it is. The horizon is a distraction; but there might not be a practical solution. In this photo the tree contrasted with the great color in the sky outweighs both distractions. Just my opinion.
Erich

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Erich,
Thanks for the great suggestions. The widest I can go with my current lens selection is 16mm, which one would think is enough. But I did go out the other day to take some test shots at lower/different angles. It did fix the horizon a bit and the boat ramp was less pronounced, but I also think the shape of the tree at the original angle became less pronounced. I do have to admit that I didn't spend much time here because as you can see from the test shots, the sky really wasn't cooperating for this shot.


This location is very close to my house, so I will go back when the weather is a little better try to get closer like suggested.

Thanks,
Tony

Shot at 16mm with camera just above ground level

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AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Yes, you did nullify some of the issues. But I think the tree has suffered for it!