Kendall.Hill.Walking.Path

[Karm Redland]

This photo was taken in Cuyahoga Valley in NE Ohio.

[Donald]

I think this one, as opposed to your Grain.Elevator.Train.Watch.Tower, doesn't have the same strong focal point. In that one there our eyes quickly homed in on the railing of teh steps and then saw the rest of the image. Whereas, in this one, there is no main point that our eyes alight upon and anchors the image.

[Karm Redland]

Before I even thought about taking this picture I was struck by the scene's overall beauty. My eyes went from the clouds and the upper part of the landscape down through the wild grass and white flowers and finally to the wood lots. What I tried to capture with this photo is the scene's zeitgeist (sorry, I haven't used that word in a million years but I think it fits what I tried to accomplish).

[Ken Curtis]

I agree with Donald that there is no strong focal point, but it doesn't bother me. I would suggest cropping off the top half of the sky as I don't think the image needs the clouds at the top and the beauty still shows through. My two cents...

[Karm Redland]

I'll try your suggestion. It always amazes me how cropping changes a pictures meaning. I definitely see your point about the top half clouds.

[Karm Redland]

Getting rid of the top clouds definitely makes for a tighter picture. I think I even see a focal point (the path, background).

Thanks to both of you.

[Mike Buckley]

I believe the success of the crop largely speaks to Donald's point, as the clearing now becomes a strong focal point. You might consider cropping off some of the bottom to make it even stronger. I realize that the flowers are important to you, though I don't think they particularly enhance the image. Regardless, even if you crop off half of the foreground, you'll still have plenty of flowers remaining.

[Donald]

I think you now have a much stronger image. Our eye (well, mine anyway) now goes directly through that gap where the path is and then takes in what is all around that.

[Karm Redland]

Tried Mike's suggestion and eliminated some foreground. Also added contrast and some structure.

[Mike Buckley]

I didn't think of suggesting a crop that moves the clearing to the left but that works really well for me, especially because it adds balance to the large cloud formation on the right. Interestingly, though there are far fewer flowers in the revised image, they stand out more in my mind.

[Karm Redland]

You are correct about the flowers: they now have a stronger presence. I definitely think you and Donald's suggestions have definitely improved this picture. Thanks.