Bending Over Backwards

[Julie Kenward]

I loved the way this leaf was snarled in the brush - almost like it was bending over for a good long stretch.

Canon 40D, EF 70-200mm f/4L
f5.6 @ 1/250th, ISO 250
Manual mode, pattern metering, Auto WB
Processed in ACR & CS4

[Dave Mills]

Julie, I like alot of your simple but effective images. However, this one is a bit busy for my taste, There is alot going on in this image which I think distracts from your center of interest. The bright leaf on the left is also a bit distracting...

[Stuart Frohm]

Here's a possibility, offered with great respect.

[Stuart Frohm]

PS: I intended to only offer another idea for cropping. I didn't intend to spoil the lovely tones in your original photo.
Stu

[Don Lacy]

Julie, This is a little busy but cropping it tighter as Stu suggest focuses more attention on the subject which is wonderful.

[Julie Kenward]

I see your point! Thanks for the repost Stu!

[denise ippolito]

Julie, I like the orig. I think all the delicate branches add to the overall feel

[Julie Kenward]

Thanks Denise. I like it both ways but I do believe I prefer the original just because I am trying to loosen up my look on things a bit. I like that some of my later images are a bit "messy" but I think they are messy in a good way.

Others may disagree and they are right to do so but one of my points with this image was to get the viewer to HAVE to look for the focal point and then do the big, "Ahh..." Not sure it worked as well as I wanted it to but gosh, the colors were so pretty how could I not process it? :D

[Kaushik Balakumar]

Personally I liked the original. This image would be my pick amongst your recent 'leaf endeavors'.
I understand it is very difficult to choose the DoF for such scenes.

[Mike Moats]

Hey Jules, has a real nice feel in the color. I like both version on the crops.