The Menacing Branches

[fotugraphy]

Hi, going forward on my photography venture I stopped and clicked another shot. Can you please review it and let me know what exactly is missing for it to make it much better?

I really like the lights on the tree. I clicked it using EV : -2 in aperture priority mode which resulted in darkening of the leaves.

With the post processing i have just burnt the leaves and the surrounding lights which was acting as a distraction.

Please share your views about the image, cropping and post processing. Also, which version is better:
1. Sharp Version.
2. Dreamy Version.
3. Top Negative Space with (sharp or dreamy).
PS: 2 More versions added.
4. 4X5 Aspect Ratio with negative space on top.
5. Spotlights Removed

Thank You

PS : Please click on the image for lightbox screen view (Highly recommended).


Sharp Version:


Dreamy Version:


Top Negative Space Version:


4X5 Aspect Ratio with negative space on top version:


Spotlights Removed:

[shreds]

I am old fashioned! I like sharp No. 1 best!

Nice pictures.

[Wavelength]

I like the dream better

[Shadowman]

Sharp version for me. Nice exercise.

[Kris V]

I'm sitting on the fence here: I like both 1 and 2.

[bnnrcn]

I like #2,the dreamy one

[Geoff F]

I just wonder about a different crop ratio; possibly 4 x 5 ratio to reduce the sides a little and give a greater appearance of height. A similar effect to #3 but without so much top space?

[Kaye Leggett]

I like no 1. I'd also lose the bottom so the spotlights themselves are not showing - for me they make the tree lose some of its 'menacingness'

[fotugraphy]

I am old fashioned! I like sharp No. 1 best!

Nice pictures.

Thanks a lot for your valuable review and feedback

[fotugraphy]

I like the dream better

Thanks a lot for your kind review and feedback

[fotugraphy]

Sharp version for me. Nice exercise.

Thanks a lot for your valuable review and feedback

[fotugraphy]

I'm sitting on the fence here: I like both 1 and 2.

Thanks a lot for your kind review and feedback. lol i was also confused between all the 3 versions.

[fotugraphy]

I like #2,the dreamy one

Thanks a lot for your valuable review and feedback

[fotugraphy]

I just wonder about a different crop ratio; possibly 4 x 5 ratio to reduce the sides a little and give a greater appearance of height. A similar effect to #3 but without so much top space?

Thanks a lot for your kind review and feedback. I have cropped the image as suggested.

[fotugraphy]

I like no 1. I'd also lose the bottom so the spotlights themselves are not showing - for me they make the tree lose some of its 'menacingness'

Thanks a lot for your valuable review and suggestion. I really like the idea of removing the spot lights. Here is the version as suggested. Did a very quick job with cloning out.

[fotugraphy]

PS: I have added 2 more version in the description
4. 4X5 aspect ratio crop with negative space on top.
5. Spotlights removed

[Geoff F]

Latest version looks good to me.

[dabhand]

Latest version looks good to me.

+1 on that.

steve

[Kaye Leggett]

Yes - I agree better without the lights you can look at the image for so much longer without being distracted

[fotugraphy]

Latest version looks good to me.

Thanks a lot for suggesting the crop factor. I have to learn the art of cropping