simple compositions

This past week we drove along the coast. It is such a contrast to being inland. I do find it enjoyable to just have "open".
Here are two versions of the same photo. One cleaned up to further simplify.
Too simple?

I'd love to see the tree more to the right. Other than that and a slanted horizon, I like them well enough.

Lines through a shot should lead to a detail. Not BE the detail. The problem we have here is the pathway leads past what tries to be the main subject. The tree and the path are fighting for control on this creating an uncomfortable tension between the two instead of a symbotic balance.

If you follow the path, it leads to a horizon line. The sky being soft and lacking contrast detail doesnt pick the eye up and move it into the sky.

My eye, goes 1/2 way down the path....argues with the tree for control and either stays at the tree, and if it moves on, goes to the horizon line and then stops.

Post Processing can definitly help here. As shot, I would put some time into the sky so its elements become more interesting and once at the horizon line it can loop back into the tree via the sky. Saturation is already part of the sky, I wouldnt muck with it much, but some added contrast might be just the ticket to create some balance to your 3 major components.

The reason I caution about the saturation is usually more contrast = more saturation by nature, so don't be afrait to isolate the sky, work with it and desaturate after if need be.

I hope you dont mind, but I did a quick edit to show you what I mean. It's only a small edit on a small shot but should get the idea across.

Your Origonal:


A possable edit


Roman

Thank you. Very constructive. I played with the sky a bit and definitely do see an improvement.

Loueen, The problem still exists in the sky. After looking at it, the sky needs the diagonal (lower right to upper left) to counter the forward path. If you edit just the cloud portion enough to get some of the punch of the blue streak, that should do the job.

Which editing program are you using?

Roman

I am using PS elements. Perhaps I was just a bit too conservative on the edit.
Thank you again

That looks about perfect. The elements in the shot are now balanced, and the contrast on all 3 main elements bind themselves to good eye movement through the scene.

Well done.

Roman