What would you do with these photos?

[RussellHons]

In my quest to learn and expand my artistic side, I would love some suggestions on what to do with these photos? They are straight out of the camera.

 

[weebee]

IMHO the shadows from the tree ruined the pictures. The second picture would have been very nice if not for the shadows. Any chance you can take these at a different time to stop this? Other then that the lighting and colors look pretty good.

 

[RussellHons]

I can take them a different time without the shadow. Will post them when I get some. I was trying to take them with the tree shadows and the low sunlight to see if I could get a somewhat abstract looking picture somehow.

 

[weebee]

I see what you are saying. But I think the shadows were a tad over powering. Neat idea though. The clarity of the pictures are very nice.

 

[weebee]

Actually after looking at your pictures again. I'm seeing your point on the bottom photo. It does look rather appealing with the shadows.

 

[DraganDL]

In the first photo, these shadows are actually amusing (being so thick and long, and with that branch up above and a tree on the right). But they are only "getting in the way" on the other photos, making this church's facade kinda "smeared"...
With a little bit of cropping and correcting of the perspective, the first one is quite usable as a "documentary" (photo):

 

[RussellHons]

I appreciate the opinions. I take alot of photos, and sometimes I start to wonder if some of them are "good" "bad" or "have potential". It's hard to know sometimes, especially when 90% end up on my computer with no one else seeing them. This is a fantastic board to be able to post some and get opinions, learn, etc.

 

[fotojack]

Although some would consider these shots "interesting", I, personally, would wait for a different time of day to avoid all those shadows that are all over the place. When you think about it, they're more distracting than interesting. As always, others opinions may vary.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Agreed that in the first image the shadows can make for a great subject with the church being the contrast if taken and processed appropriately, but the other shots are far more miss than hit. Having an "artistic side" is all well and good, but "artistic vision" is what ultimately is needed. I get a feel for what you're seeing in the first and 4th photos, but you missed the target compositionally enough that I don't know what it is you're going for. I love the idea of the shadows being a "dark" against the "light" of the church, but they're just there and not obvious or daunting enough.

I'm thinking something very stark in Black & White would do you much better here. I tried doing some basic edits, but the computer I'm on only has Elements 9. That said, I came close to something presentable, but if you've got Lightroom I think you can knock something out with photos 1 & 3.

 

[Jonathan]

The best is the last, but I agree the shadow ruins it. In others, I like the threatening image of a claw engulfing the House of God but it's not emphasised enough.