May be a little low but not much. Really beautiful work and shot though Mike! The background really makes the leaves stand out and the framing perfect :)

Such beautiful color. Great camera that. Headroom is no problem here as I see it.

Nice shot, Mike.

I don't see a problem with the composition, per se.

Mind you, you did prompt a few thoughts/suggestions with your inquiry/request in the accompanying narrative.

Ready?


Slightly lower camera position, if possible ... to include the joint/juncture of the bottom right-hand side leaf. Which would, in turn, mitigate the merger created with the frame ... as is, and as presented to us.

And perhaps address your own thoughts on the 'why' things don't quite look right?


Exposure Compensation and/or Auto Bracketing.

And I quote;

"Exposure Compensation. Exposure compensation on the Nikon D5100 is adjustable from -5 to +5 exposure equivalents (EV) in 1/3 or 1/2 EV step increments, and is controllable in Program, Aperture-priority, or Shutter-priority modes. Note that in Manual exposure mode, the EV button becomes a shift button that changes the function of the Command dial from controlling the shutter speed to changing the Aperture. The Auto Bracketing feature on the Nikon D5100 takes three shots of the same subject with varying exposure values. Exposure settings for bracketing can vary from -2 to +2 EV (values are added to the already chosen exposure compensation value), with step sizes of 1/3 or 1/2 EV units. Through the Custom Settings menu, you can designate whether the bracketing sequence adjusts the exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting (2 frames only)."


Some other creative food for thought?

Back up, and get the entire structure of the branch and leaves in frame, composed for a central composition. (In other words, 'centered'. :oP)

You have already presented us with a tease of the lighted and shadowed (to an extent) parts. Why not go full frame and see what that looks like? (With the caveat that the background allows for such and is not compromised by other stuff being in frame as possible and real distractions.)

That nonsense aside..


Like the simplicity of your image here, and the colours are very nice and natural.

And given the lighting conditions I do perceive (heyyyyyy.. another idea/possibility ... lower sun/backlighted if possible, and and..).. you and your camera handled the technical challenges well.


Looking forward to seeing more from your mind's eye and new camera. :o)

I like the different colors and shades of the summers leaves in the sun showing their delicate veins...looks like the new camera is working great so far Mike! But you know pratice makes perfect and look forward to more of your pic's in the future
Diane