The first thing that caught my eye was the piece of garbage on the road. You might clone it out as it is quite bright and the rest of the picture is rather faded. I like the composition, and the way the road leads off. This works nicely in B&W too. Did you try it?

Very interesting and I'm in total agreement about the bright white cup getting cloned out or replaced (with what I'm not sure).

In reply about the cup; I'm just happy that was the only piece of trash there. It's outside of an abandoned factory and there is nothing but trash and parts of furniture laying around.

I have to agree with the above. It's not an integral part of the subject image and distracts from the moodiness. I feel the same applies to the broad black border.
It tends to limit the feeling of a lonely, forlorn waif in a vast expanse (limitless solitude).
It's also what creates the look of the picture being flat and dull, which it isn't. Without the black border it looks like what it is. A lonely soul, walking into fog enshrouded skeletal trees.
A beautiful mood evoking work. Well done.

Agreed about the cup and the frame... otherwise this is a haunting and evocative image. And... welcome to Caedes!
mary

The Border I'm not sure about but leave the piece of garbage(cup)in, to me it looks like the child is walking towards it! leaving u thinking is he curious to see what it is! i really like this picture, the trees in the background make it look scary! great capture.

I like the picture...minus the cup. The border doesn't bother me at all. Very moody picture.

Jimbob