Redbud Sunset

Dave,
Very pretty image with some beautiful back-lighting and great color palate.

As a suggestion, since most of the visual interest is to the left and center, I might try cropping a small bit off the right side. I think this might improve the overall compo. balance.

Thanks for commenting, Dave. Although I liked the BG environmental context and centering the redbud amongst all of the chaos, I can see your point so here's a version with a bit off the right side. We'll see what the peanut gallery thinks.

Actually Dave, if I was to head in the direction you suggested, then I would probably go to a squarish crop with most of the right side eliminated.

Each image has its own merits.  After going back and forth multiple times, I think I did the second image a little more focused.  Redbud is a beautiful tree.  My favorite one is in Deer Creek in the Grand Canyon.  In this image I did the layers of color very defining of California.  Good job.

Hi Dave,

The second image works for myself best best because the balance feels right in that crop. I enjoy the colors onf the beautiful redbud, the way the tree on the left frames up the redbud, and of course the sweet light illuminating this vey nice image.

 

The back lighting really show off these bushes.  Cool background and yellow in the FG work nicely.  Bush in the center feels a little tight on the bottom but just my way of viewing the balance.  The square crops are an improvement for me.

What a cool Redbud, D.A. Love the backlit oaks too.  I might wish for a bit more room at the bottom as Harry mentioned.  As far as crops go, I think I like the original.  What would really have been nice would have been to totally frame the redbud with the backlit oaks.

Great colors - perhaps a less centered position for the redbud - I like the second, square crop. 

Dave,

I too LOVE the Redbud and look forward to the bloom in the Merced Canyon this spring - not too long from now!  I also wish I had one planted in my yard!

The back lighting here is gorgeous and the backlit oaks just set this off - YET, the color of the Redbud let it stand as the main focal point of the image.

I was thinking a crop as well.  I think the first crop works well, and still retains the context you mention.  For me though, the last crop really boils this image down to it's primary message - the redbud and the back lit oak.  I'm really loving the square crop for it's simplicity and strong comp.  But what the heck, they all work and are all beautiful with that sweet light.

Lon

Such colors! The yellow tree embracing the purple one is a great find. The second crop and the original are the winners for me. They are different, but each have their own qualities. As you said, I appreciate the context the background introduces in the original crop, while the last one emphasizes the gorgeous colors.

I appreciate everyone's feedback.... agree on the need for a little more space at the bottom but too late now. I might try and get back here this spring to see what the fires have wrought on this landscape. There may be a wildflower extravaganza with all of the rain we have thankfully received so far.