chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

thought this tree was really interesting

(Download)

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Not sure what you're trying to do here. There are a lot of technical and aesthetic problems with this image. What are you trying to convey?

chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

just that the tree was an interesting shape, and tried my hand at black and white for the first time. Yeah I know there are some issues with it as far as technique but I am just learning

So tell me what I could have done better, because I want to learn

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Increase contrast

chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

cool that does make it look better, I know there is some camera shake too that could have been avoided by using a tripod but didn't have one at the time, And I havent done much PP still working on getting the pictures.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Check your focus. Things look soft.
Watch your foreground depth of field. While a backround blur is often a good thing, foreground blur can be distracting.
If the tree is the point of view why is so much of the picture rock?
Sometimes what looks good in your eyes doesn't work in a photograph. I've got thousands of pictures that just didn't work out.
Try getting closer, change your perspective, try different crops.
Move on. There's lots of landscape out there. Make lots of pictures. Most important, to learn what makes a good photograph look at good photographs. Start with a google search of "Masters of photography"

Good luck.

chiya Loc: Wellsboro, Pa.

thank you that is helpful advice, guess I will play around with it some more maybe try the cropping that you recommend.