Got to playing in the garden today

[MiniChris]

Lots of fun stuff in my friend's garden...

[Dave Humphries]

No one has replied, so I'll dive in.

I think this is one of Pop's "you learn more from a failure" shots - I hope that doesn't sound too critical.

I think it fails because there is too much going on, while it is obvious what the subject is, it cannot be separated from the rest of the image by; shape, focus, exposure, colour or angle.

It isn't the only curvy/straight thing there.
There's too much else that's sharp.
It isn't the darkest or lightest thing in shot.
It isn't the only green thing in shot.
The angle hasn't placed it against a suitable background.

What made you take the shot Chris?
~~~~
So, you need to find a way to pass that on to us.
And also not make the image just too difficult to 'process' in the viewers mind.

Hope that helps,

[MiniChris]

I never know exactly what it is that catches my eye to decide it is worthy of an attempt. I know when I looked at this setup, I liked the overabundance of curly stuff amidst the hanging bottle feeder: sort of a organic/inorganic thing going on. Mostly, I suspect I shot it because of the glass. I love glass. I adore glass..my house is filled with glass of all sorts, so I am always attracted to its reflective or transparent qualities. I think I will reshoot this in the morning when all the vines are filled with icicles and play with it some more...I need to get on a ladder so I can shoot it much more close up.
I agree it is way too busy and lacks a determined focal point. I shall try again...sighhhhhhhh. (Oddly enough, I don't think I would have attempted this shot on film.)