Help with Improving This Image

[hawkeye978]

I could use some input on how to improve this photo. I got some feedback on this for the current Challenge and the suggestion was to head over here and get some suggestions.

I used a drag shutter technique to get this picture, exposing for the sky and using the flash to illuminate the tree. I've done some PP to enhance the branch. Is there a way to push this to another level??

Here's the shot...

http://hawkeye978.smugmug.com/photos/299576372_kNSuB-L.jpg

All C&C greqtly appreciated.

[jeffreaux2]

To me it appears as if the shrub were pasted onto the BG, which is a turn off IMO. The exposure on the sky looks pretty good, though it probably wouldn't kill it to be a tad brighter....but the sky is not where I think the problem lies.

The light from the flash onto the shrub is harsh and flat. In addition, the shrub and sky are out of synch on white balance. If you are able to fire the strobe off camera, that may be of some help, but also try dialing back some on the flash power. As for the White Balance issue, you will need to gel your flash to more closely match the natural light. A CTO gel(color temerature orange) might do the trick.

[hawkeye978]

Jeff,

Thanks for the input. I hadn't thought about changing the color temp of the tree. I shot raw so I have a little leeway if I apply a filter in Photoshop for that layer.

[weronika]

I agree with Jeff, off-camera flash would make this a lot better. Right now it really does look like you just Photoshopped the two layers together.

Also, I think having the sky be either lighter or darker than the branch would help. Having them at about the same brightness level like this is just... disconcerting.

Also, I'd get rid of the out-of-focus shrubs on the bottom and right side.

[Scott_Quier]

Might also improve the shot if, on re-shooting this, you used a larger aperture to better throw the background (the clouds) a little more OOF.