Thanks guys, I been exhibiting my work for nearly 32 years from the time I was 17. It comes second nature to me. But Ansel once said to me if the sky is showing it must improve the image. I love to shoot trees and show the graceful elegance of them and the sky is a major problem. The other problem is height a large tall tripod which I have a large induro and a 12 foot gitzo. This with a ladder can help tremendously but you have to be willing to feel the pain. This with a 65 pound back pack, tripod, ladder and a 6 pound stitching head that I designed makes you stay in shape. But nothing great is easy. Have fun its all worth it. Tim Wolcott
The other thing that would help is if you can go back to this place is to shoot this image with the light hitting the back of the trees. This would allow the trees to be darker on the front of the bark and make the trail much brighter in comparison to the trees. Think always what you want to accentuate and make that brighter than the rest of the image. This also works when shooting fall colors.
"There are no shortcuts. Great photography requires understanding light, vision and patience – simple discipline – simple but never easy." TW