So there is this little creek by my house that I can walk to and take photos at. I have been going down there alot, but I cant seem to find a good compostion that isn't to busy. Does anyone have any tips for compostion in places like that? This is one of the only good ones I feel like I have taken, and the second one is one that shows how busy it is.
This is how woodland really looks, McKailen, isn't it - a mess! I couldn't pull an image from these scenes, except perhaps with close-ups - a rock, some moss, a log, an interesting tree trunk. You've got OOF foreground details that don't contribute in the first image.
I think this is actually very difficult subject matter, and with all due respect, maybe you're being over-amibitious. If you look at images of woodland on FS that work, you'll see that the photographer has somehow found simplicity and order in the chaos. I'd suggest you'd do well to start with easier subjects, like more open territory with interesting detail, or a waterfall with clear space around the fall, that makes a coherent image easier to isolate in the disorder.
I can only think of one good image I've made of forest as such, when I had a clear view of a couple of mossy tree branches twisting against a backdrop of fine, more distant foliage, so I had a clear foreground subject against a complementary backdrop that didn't distract. Been waiting five years for another opportunity!
Ok, Thanks! On my way out the door now!