Curiosity keeps growing.

Another installment of 'keep or trash'
This is the last of my shots from Ice Lake a couple weeks back. At the time, color was just peaking at sunset when i changed lenses, and my 5D froze--nothing worked, it wouldnt shut down! I was on the verge of panic when i realized the only solution was to remove the battery and replace. By the time i figured this out, best color was done, but i managed to get a few shots. Unfortunately, no time to even think about composition, so i dont think the tree here was a good idea, among other things. What do you think? A couple years ago i might have been happy with this but im pickier now, so please be critical but honest

Hey Stan, well I tell you I love the alpenglow, clouds, and the yellow in the foreground meadow!. But, first thing my eyes pick up on (and u mentioned in your comment) is that tree dead centre!. You probably have the pixels to convert the image into a vertical, not sure if that would work any better, or if the tree would still be dominant?.
Beautiful soft colours and light throughout the scene, looks like it was a great trip!.

This is really niiiiiice! Keep it.

Absolutely a keeper, IMO.
May not be the 'best' color you saw, but what's there is beautiful. That tree isn't quite dead center, which is a saving grace.
My only suggestion might be to clone out the top of that tree that projects into the mountains.

Not a bad idea, John. I think thats what bothers me about the shot, not the top but how it blends in with the forest behind. I could dodge it, but that might not be enough to get the seperation im looking for. Thanks for the comments, guys!

Yeah, I have to say that the tree doesn't work for me there. It's just an attention magnet. That's some great light you had though. Too bad the 5D mucked things up for ya. I've occasionally had that issue with mine (and my old 20D) and popping out the battery is almost second nature to me now.

This is a keeper, no questions even asked! I would maybe add a lil contrast in areas, and bring those yellows of the wildflowers out some more

Stan, I think with some creative cropping you could make the comp work. Maybe crop from the right side, or crop to vertical. The first thing that caught my eye was the lack of separation between the tree and the background, as you mentioned. Based on your work on the photoart forum, I'm sure you have the PS skills to fix this problem. There are so many good components to this image that I think it's worth the work you'll have to put into it to take it up a few notches. Sorry about your camera. Like Guy, it's become second nature for me to pop the battery at the first sign of trouble, which almost always occurs if I change lenses without powering down first. Please repost this image if you decide to rework it. I'd like to see what you come up with.

I'd say its a keeper. The tree isn't in the best location, but with some additional work, I think you've got an image which has a lot of potential.

Definitely a keeper - that light is sweet and the colors are fantastic. Perhaps some careful dodging can help tonally separate the foreground tree from the background trees. The placement isn't ideal as you said, but I think it can be mitigated.

Hmmm... never had that problem with my Nikon.

I'm having trouble getting past that foreground tree, I feel blocked out by it. Everything else is very nice, but the tree kills it for me. Sorry

Dont be, Jeff, i posted it to get your opinions!
Rick--yes, but that's why Canons are superior, it's the constant fighting with it's flaws that makes the photographer grow in the relationship between camera and photog
Thanks Paul and everyone--i may give it another go at some point.

Stan, crop from the right (till the tree is on a third) , clone out the tree in the mountain per John's suggestion, and keep the image.

Personally, it seems this image is about the meadow, and the tree is part of the meadow. Lose the tree and the feeling of the meadow changes.

Thanks Laurent, i value your suggestions.

I'm afraid in this version the tree very effectively blocks the view to the scene. Too bad because the colors are amazing as is the light even though you missed it by that much. I wouldn't keep it but would certainly go back to this place and try again for that perfect shot.

Pam