Fall came early this year again

[Mats Honkamaa]

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5880/img8606g.jpg
Canon EOS 7D | Canon EF300/2.8L USM
ISO400 | 1/4000 sec | f/2.8 | 0EV
Handheld | no flash | WB 6500K

How to improve? Thanks in advance.

[Brendan Dozier]

Like the subtle autumn color, simple earthy feel and softness to this composition, Mats. There is a nice contrast between the in focus subject and OOF BG, but feel that there's a bit too much of the BG competing with the subject. This is just one idea for a different solution - cropped some from left, top and bottom, moving top part of subject to more of a rule of thirds position and bringing vertical line closer to corner. Cloned out top part of sticks in the center just to right of subject, lightened some of the darker spots of BG.

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Mats and welcome to the Macro forum! I like the colors and lighting, though the right half of the image looks rather cluttered, IMO. :S3: Brendan and I are on the same wavelength with this one - I really like what he has done with the repost as it makes for a much stronger comp. I hope to see more of your work here in Macro!

[Mats Honkamaa]

Thanks for comments and great repost. Really opened my eyes on how to improve a photo like this.

[Julie Kenward]

Nice conception Mats - Brendan's repost really took it over the top. He managed to declutter and soften the image so that it better matches the soft lighting.