To me the bottom seems uneccesary. You could crop more off in my opinion.I know everything does not have to be centered,but for this the cone is really off to the side.

okay. thanks! i think you're right about the bottom. i think i could cut some off the bottom and not lose the mood. I'll have to try cropping some off the righthand side and see. appreciate your input!

So much a matter of opinion... As is, it fits the "Rule of 1/3rds" for Western composition, in both dimensions. However, as dB suggests, if cutting off the bottom the subject would still be 1/3 [left to right]. Both versions would be pleasing. I'd suggest you NOT cut off both bottom and right.

I think it depend on your intension, and I like your picture.
Sometimes, I make a very tight picture with small empty space.

But, I like empty space. I often pay more attention to background and empty space than main subject.

Crop the bottom? I felt that it was the bottom which gave the hanging in space feeling. I would have cropped about a 8th of the ficture from the right though. Just enough to show the other acorn but not all of it. However I actually like my pictures centered. Must be the scientist in me. =:-) Bsteph

Well, I rarely like centered pictures - and centered I mean in case they are symetrical(fractals are a very good example!) - otherwise not so many subjects could be posted in the middle of the viewer...I like your subject exactly how is done, although I see is a a little blurry...If you try to crop the subject and keep a centered picture you'll have no tension at all and what's the charm of a great pic if there's no tension in it? I have a similar photo in my gallery and please copy/paste the next link and think about how bad would looked if it was centered... http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=680394&Start=37&Artist=Mikan&ByArtist=Yes Friendly, Mihai.

thanks to everyone for your input!!!! i appreciate it so much!!!!

I think the compo is very good. Love the dof too. excelent done my friend. :]

Love the compo on this.... great dof too, although focus on the main pine cone is a bit too soft for me. Just an opinion, take it for what it is... :~)

I don't think it would hurt to crop it on the bottom, but I like the negative space.... so were it mine I would probably leave it as is. Lots of warmth, and feelings of fall emanate from this image....

Message edited on: 09/17/2004 13:24

I dont think I would crop it, I like it how it is the compo is very good and the DOF great, for me this shot works very well, a little crop off the bottom may work ok, I certainly wouldnt crop the side, you can always try it and see if you like it. My only thought is the focus it very slightly off, in reality it may be because of the limitations of monitor screens, I have shot images a little like this that look a little soft on screen but sharp in print.

I am appreciative of your comments, suggestions, and critiques! It helps me a lot. Yes, the focus in this one is too soft/blurry. I am trying very hard to achieve a better technical image. I have a medical condition which makes me tremble and have some shakiness. Focus is a big challenge for me. I try to use tripod/remote when i can, but in this case I was unable. LP, i wish it was just the limitation of monitor screens. Alas, it's just me. :) I so much appreciate everyone's input here. I think I will just leave it as is, but I will try a slight crop on the bottom just to see. Best regards, TV

ps square is tough to work with and this crop is almost square...oops. TomDart.

Hi TomDart and thanks so much for taking the time to do this!!! How did you do the "slight detail enhancement" on the cone. Can I do this in PSP7?? I definitely need to learn this technique!!!! This cropping may be better to some people's eyes, but I prefer the original without the crop. Somehow i think that empty space at the bottom was important to help convey the mood and tone i wanted. I sure do appreciate you what you did!!! Thanks again!! Blessings, TV

"Can I do this in PSP7??"
TV, there are several ways to sharpen an image. I used a plugin program. You have to be careful with the results looking "too worked with", especially if you are going to print the image. In PSP8 one quick way is to grab the "freehand" selection tool and outline just inside the cone edges, then click Enhance Photo and choose "sharpen" from the menu. Experiment with that! The sharpening is inside the selection.

I used PSP7 for a long time and believe the controls are very similar. Anyway, select what you want to work with then work inside the selection. I suggest if you are going to work with the image, open the original and Edit> copy>paste new image. Close the original and work in the copy so no damage is done to the original if you make changes. (Save the "play image" copy as a PSP or Photoshop file if you want to close and later reopen to continue where you left off.) You likely know this but it never hurts to mention working with a copy.

Actually, I like a little more space below the cone than in the one I cropped. : )

Blessings. TomDart.

Message edited on: 09/18/2004 10:12

CORRECTION! TV, I told you wrong for PSP 7. In version 8 the "sharpen" command is under "enhance photo". In Version 7, click EFFECTS and sharpen is in the drop down menu. Sorry. Tom.

oh, okay...thanks!!! that's easy enough. I'm familiar with the sharpen effect and have used it before, but when i tried it on this one, it killed my DOF!!! I didn't think about using the selection tool. Duh!!!! I completely forgot about that!!!! I always work with many copies. Oftentimes I'll have up to a half dozen PSP files of variations of an image if I'm uncertain about where I want to go with a particular piece. I appreciate you mentioning it though. Sometimes reminders of the basics are good, especially when you have a memory like mine!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain how to do this. I will definitely give it a try!!!! Have a great weekend, TV

Done!!!! I am quite pleased with my final version. I sharpened the cone like you said, Tom, and I like it. I kept the space and did not crop. Thanks so much to everyone for your critiques, feedback, and suggestions!!!! You guys ROCK!

I have too much Empty Space to try and even think...and, without reading what has been written...which I haven't...it is the Ghost in the Background that intrigues Me.

Tedz, the first part is understood. : ) Yes, I noticed that fuzzy face, too. I will leave it to you to make the mental note. TomDart.

Ha! I was wondering if anyone would notice!! :) You guys will have to check it out in my gallery when i post it if you want to know the scoop about that "ghost" or "fuzzy face!" :)