composition?

This week we are *supposed* to be working with design elements & composition. The assignment is to pick several shots we like and say why we like them. I am not always able to say why I like something that catches my eye. Just that I do. It's been a bit of a challenge to find that kind of likeable image for me this week.

Once again, no editing except a bit of cropping [and unsharp mask to compensate for size reduction blur....I hope ;-] were allowed. Here are my attempts at composing with the camera.

As an aside, all of these photos, with the exception of the nearby stream shot, were taken in Elkmont, Tennessee at the site where I say that a murder was committed in the Smokies. The party I accuse is the National Park system who, with ultimate stupidity, have dealt a death blow to a treasure that was once known as the Wonderland Hotel. The first photo is especially heartbreaking to me as we have its companion hanging on the wall of our home. A local photographer captured that same porch not so awfully long ago with a polished floor, hanging plants and deep forest green rocking chairs. A warm & inviting place you would want to stay awhile, relax & enjoy the view. This historic treasure is now a ruin.  It is surrounded by a cold chain fence and coming near is illegal. [Couldn't get past the fence, but guess who went trespassing anyway?? *naughty grin*]

If you are interested, watch for more details in my extras page soon. Until then, here is a link to a bit of the history of the Wonderland Hotel. You know, even as a crumbling shell, she still has a proud glint in her eye that you can see when the sun is at just the right angle.

Equipment used Canon PowerShotS30.

Click thumbnails for larger view and comments:

Onward we proceed toward week four here it is rumored our beloved editing tools will be allowed....horrah!! [Ut-oh, what excuses do we use then??]

Farron and that _^..^_