The Brush and Castle

Since I am actually a limey, I thought a Pub sounding title was appropriate
Sorry to bombard the forum again with more images from this area, this is one more comp. I overlooked when I posted the previous ones. I'm kinda liking this one, but I'm not sure if the brush in the fg is too distracting?.
Once again taken at about 30 mins prior to sundown.

Howdy Nick.

This one doesn't work for me as well as your previous ones. The small gray tree dominates so much of the frame.

The drab colors suggest to me to try a convert. Did you do a convert to B&W with this one?

Thanks Steve. Actually the tree being a large part of the image was my intention with this particular comp, I liked how it's branches were pointing up towards the castle. I wasn't trying to get the same depth as in the previous images, but more the textures and patterns. But I do understand if this wasn't quite accomplished.
I did try a B&W conversion with some of these too, but this one I found the tones were too close and everything blended into one, you lose the red strata in the bg that breaks up the hill.

Nick, I don't think the brush is too distracting. In fact, it seems to be your subject here, given your intent to show texture/layers. However, I think the dark shadow in the LRC doesn't help the image. The harsh lighting seems to detract from the overall goal. I find that creative cropping can really help focus the message of certain images - and this might be a good candidate. Try playing around with a square crop from the top. The diagonals in the photo are very nice.

Thanks Jesse, I may play with it some more, or perhaps just ditch this one . I didn't think the lighting was too harsh, it was only 30 mins before sunset, and was warm side lighting; but it doesn't have the red glow of sunset you're right. That shadow is a problem you're right!.

I like the idea of the comp, but the current conditions don't do much for me...maybe this would work better in the Spring or with some snow on the ground and the tree...definitely keep it in mind to visit in different seasons...

Jamie, I think you're right, come spring this will come to life - worth trying it in the snow too as you suggested!.
Thanks everyone for the C&C.

Sorry, "harsh lighting" was the wrong way to describe it. That shadow is just harsh. Regardless, have fun reshooting this. Nice to have a place like this to photograph near home.