Barn with (lesser) puddle

[tbob]

Taking into account the comments on the prior thread about a conflict in emphasis between the old barn and a frozen puddle. Old barn: too dark? an image from the same morning with the puddle less obvious and the barn in a starring role.

[Mike Buckley]

This one works better for me insofar as the relationship between the frozen puddle and the barn is concerned. However, I want the larger amount of negative space to be on the left rather than the right.

[Rebel]

This one works better for me insofar as the relationship between the frozen puddle and the barn is concerned. However, I want the larger amount of negative space to be on the left rather than the right.

Agree with Mike on this one, also would like to see a bit more of the sky and a little less foreground.

[Shadowman]

Totally different composition, I think the first (second of two) composition was a bit stronger than this one; although the strength in this composition resides solely with the barn. With the original, the strength was in both the shapes and colors, in this composition it is shape only.

[tbob]

Sorry Mike and Matt but I will have to disagree. I need to keep the curve of the stubble and the lines leading in from the right. The sky is a featureless blue whereas the field has some interesting features of use in establishing context for the barn. I suppose it could be argued that more sky would give a feeling of the sweep of the prairie, however that was not my intent. I tried to crop more off the left but that cut the puddle so it was a blob on the left and I was not happy with the result. I should have given myself more to work with and shot some different compositions to try them out. Hindsight.

[Mike Buckley]

I need to keep the curve of the stubble and the lines leading in from the right.

You probably could have done that while also placing the larger amount of negative space on the left. Doing so would result in a panoramic-style aspect ratio which would be very appealing.

Another alternative is to crop the current image on the left to eliminate the frozen puddle. Doing so places the barn slightly too close to the left side of the frame for my taste, so I would probably leave just a little of the puddle in the frame before digitally removing it.

The issue for me is that the current composition includes the combination of the open face of the barn and the frozen puddle. That pair of such strong elements begs for the largest amount of negative space to be on the left because the pair pulls my eye to the left. That explains why eliminating the frozen puddle solves that problem for me.

[Downrigger]

Great image. I think the discussion about composition is interesting and understand your point, Trevor. I still think it is also quite strong if the right-hand third and the bottom quarter are removed. A tiny enhancement, well within the bounds of artistic license that occurs to me is to clone away the small gap in the treeline to the left of the barn

[tbob]

Will have to wait until I get home to do the final crops (no good processing program at work) but I did several trials at work in between my actual job. I still like the curves to the right but a tighter crop does make it stronger. The puddle may have to go as well. I will also institute Mark's suggestion on the treeline; once the gap is seen it becomes an irritant.

Thanks to everyone for the opinions, even if I am going too ignore the consensus suggestion of removing the bulk of the space on the right and going for removing the left side.

[Barbara Ponder]

I am on the puddle going band wagon. I like the rest of the shot.