This is a very nice photo of a lovely winter scene. I really like the fog , bench and the trees in the background. Nice job.

Sir, I thought I should warn you ahead of time that I am a critique (not to be confused with critic ;), and am pretty incapable of simply saying "nice job!". So, read on at your own risk.

The setup is beautiful - a blanketed pine, a snow-covered bench, mysterious fog over a silent bed of water - yet I can't help but feel like you missed a great opportunity with this photograph. The main problem here is that you have two potential subjects competing for each other, without either one really taking center stage.

Next time, I would suggest trying a lot of different composition combinations: frame out the bench through the tree branches to bring those elements together; get closer to the branch and ignore the bench altogether; or ignore the tree and get a great 3/4 view of the bench looking out over the frosted water.

*One small note related to all of the images I looked at in your gallery -- I would definitely sharpen the images... you'd be surprised at what a huge difference it can make. If you don't already have imaging software (other than MS's terrible picture editor), I'd suggest downloading IrfanView. It's free and super simple to use, and it's what I use to do my basic editing, even over Photoshop.

With that critique said, and while I think pushing the contrast slightly would make the image pop a little more, I love that you didn't blow out this scene and make it bleach white. I hate when people completely blow an image out (which I've been guilty of) just because snow is "white", when it is in fact gray (and blue, and green, and pink in various lighting), and occasionally yellow ;) I also really like black and white images of snowscapes when there isn't a lot of color, because it really sets that barren tone, but that, like everything else, is personal preference (with black and white images, I think it's important to do heavy contrast to get that variation of grays, blacks and whites -- moreso than with a saturated image).

I also looked at your "Winter Mystery" image which I thought was much more successful and is a good image to compare with this one. You have an off-set composition coming from the right of the image, with good focus, and decent lighting (again I would suggest upping the contrast a tinsey bit).

Bethany gave you a lot to think about and perhaps integrate into your photos. That is the good thing about this site. People with give you their honest opinion and it is up to you to cipher through them and use the ones you feel will help.
I don't have that much problem with the composition. It has a natural feel to it. I can picture myself standing in that exact spot. I do think the bench and fog are the most compelling elements in this shot.
Shoot to please yourself.

TicK

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