Square works really well for this. It's like the tree is saying "look at me - I have leaves!" to the poor leaf-less trees in a background that's separated by the mist.
The foreground could be argued to be a bit empty, but cropping it would spoil the balance and I quite lkike the space it gives.
B&W always looks cool in grotty grey weather, nice shot Helen.
A good shot to start the year, Helen. Like the 1:1 format and the spaces suround the subject to emphasis its environment.
Grey cloud here too Helen :/ (until about 10 minutes ago!)
I agree with the others that the instagram crop suits the shot and processing - I don't think it would have the same feel/impact if it were colour or a landscape orientation.
Nicely seen and taken. I think your crop is perfect, as is your choice of B&W.
Really love this. The tree just stands so majestically. Got to love a grey/moody scene in BW!
Hi Helen
That tree certainly stands out from the not too distant BG.
This is a lovely tree portrait, understated but kind of perfect!
It's a nice mono for sure.
The square crop works really nicely Helen - mono highlights what I suspect was a very cold day!!
Your format choice definitely works to its advantage, looking at the scene I'm wondering what the image looks like moving to the right and distancing the trees on the right hand side (if possible)
A lovely seasonal shot Helen and I like the crop and the background trees disapperaring into the mist.
Thanks @Cobra - the sheep do a good job of pruning them into a straight base line...A giant Bonsai what's not to like?
Nice processing too Helen.
Lol.. there are so many it made walking quite difficult.Got a bit of a mole problem I see.
Hi Helen, I like it, its a shame you couldn’t isolate them from the surroundings a bit more, but it has a really nice warmth about it. I really liked your tree too .... works perfectly in the b&w.
In all honesty I'd have cropped or cloned out the RHS,
That's nice sharp crab apples though..
I gave it all a quick slap with the content aware brush and took out the OoF branches.
it works better IMO with just the main branch and wilted fruit.
But as I said just my opinion
Hey I love that, nice & sharp, good light & colour.
Lovely sharp picture, they are hanging on there. I think I would probably have zoomed in and cropped it a bit and then it may also have filled your frame
Good Dof nice and sharp where you wanted it
Works well enough for me, but as the scaley one says, a few minutes in photoshop with the magic disappearing tool would probably give it a boost.
Fruit
I think you're doing yourself a disservice. The fruit has great detail and colour, it's also very sharp. A good blurry background. If there was anything I'd change, I'd find a better angle or remove the bit of twig (?) In the background.
Fairy nuff HelenFor me, what's in the shot stays in the shot -
Fair play, we all see and do things differently. I'm not adverse to a bit of manipulation (especially when the council stick up road signs !!!) but I absolutely appreciate wanting to keep it exactly as it was.For me, what's in the shot stays in the shot - I don't remove, clone, change backgrounds etc. - and believe me, I've had some lively and protracted arguments with good photography friends on this one .