Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by Bus352:
Wonderful composition and message here, somewhat philosophical. The coloring is quality is very well done

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by kylh:
beautiful

Used
by sz1_

Comment by sz1_:
After compo notes:

I had the idea of having stairs as the background from lower angle. So I wanted to shoot this again. But then some lazyness came ... This photo was kind of test photo. I also had other idea but could not get right focus on it (would been more unique).

Anyway I managed to make in focus photo with blurred bg as I wanted.

The shoe is still in use :)

Thanks for the comments.

Used
by sz1_

Comment by HBunch:
*Critique Club*

I really like this. I'm not sure what it is about an old shoe that is so fascinating to me, but it is. *shrug*
I love the Contrast between the background and the shoe/leg. I think that the background is nicely out of focus and contains nothing distracting to the subject at all.
I'm wondering how this would have looked without the leg in the back? Seems that I'd like to see that as just a one leg kind of deal.
Lighting is great. White sky doesn't bother me at all in this image.
Focus and clarity are good as well. I like the detail in the shoe and the textures of the pants.
The subject matter is actually pleasing to look at. Really neat shot. Overall something to be proud of really.
~Heather~

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by RonBeam:
Well done illusion of selective desat. Very effective in its expressiveness.

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by kena:
I just love this picture. The colors really stand out and the focus is great. The lighting is good too, and it makes the picture interesting.

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by gurei:
I like this photo with the mix of color and B&W. (If this was the intent then great, otherwise:) To me the placement of the arm is a bit off. It's angle looks a bit off so in a way, it doesn't look alive. I'd crop the top edge just a bit so I can't see the shadow of the bend of the outside of the elbow starting. And then straighten the wrist with the arm so the hand is going off to the right instead of directly looking at the camera. (I'd actually like to see that pose next to this one to see if that really had the same impact as this one) Otherwise, the DoF with the Ivy draws the eye to the slightly out of focus hand very nicely. I'm drawn to following tha line from the bottom front of the photo curving around to the top back.

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by bram:
I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do with the hand in the background... and because it is unclear it is distracting.

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by KiwiShotz:
Selective desat works, perhaps the cut end not cropped off doesn't although the gradation from white to dark on the table does work - 8

Branches of Life
by sz1_

Comment by SJCarter:
This is really beautiful, but the lopsided border is a real distraction to me. The selective desat is great and I love the composition.