Hugging Trees

I think it's a powerful image, and love the tonality & textural differences between the two trunks and the background. The branch does not bother me at all.

Keep it, it's nature, it's not always perfect. In my photography I do not add to or take away anything from the scene other than dust spots etc.

A unique Yosemite image - that's nice!! Excellent composition. I might boost contrast ever so slightly. Keep the branch, it does no harm IMO. Very nicely done.

Very interesting composition. The visual effect was almost disorientating when I first looked at it. Original, great vision.

I like!

Raied,

This is wonderful! Fantastic vision and forethought, what a terrific and unique take on Yosemite and El Capitan. Personally, agree with others to leave the branches; it's more natural and honestly looks like it would be a messy clone job anyway. Ideally of course would have been to try and mitigate that when taking the image. But then for all I know you're right on the ground and that was the best possible position.

Every visit to Yosemite, I go to this little stretch of the river and never once thought or saw something like this. Well done!

Lon

I think it is a fine image as is, but if El Cap were unobstructed the image would have a very strong centerpiece. If only your camera had been a bit lower. It can be repaired, but you're have to reconstruct the top of the mountain, and too many people here would know it.

Think it works well...though looks like you need to push your whites a bit brighter. Nice work!

aF

Interesting composition. Well seen.

Very different. Like ti as presented. TFS

Really like this different take on a Yosemite shot. Well done!

Wow, love the perspective. The branches don't distract from the image, IMO. Cloning all that out would be a major headache. I would leave the branches in.

Outstanding and the branch remains a good element. Any capture detail?--

Dear All, Thank you for the reviews and voting! The Branch will Stay!
I could not avoid the branch as I was just few inches from the ground. And I wanted to stay close to the trees to capture their textures. Anyway, It is not perfect, but I am happy that you liked it.
Capture data:
Canon 5D MRK II, EF14mmf/2.8L II, f/10, 1/50sec, ISO100

Fantastic comp. The textures in those trunks make a great frame for the scene behind. B&W seems like the right choice. Increases the overall graphic quality of the scene.

Great and original take here!

The strong leading lines formed by the trees make this a very eye catching composition. I like how you've created such a bold composition by using them. I will say though that the image does feel a bit disorienting, and I get the feeling that either the trees are falling, or I the viewer am falling. As a result, I don't quite get that "calm" feeling that I often get when viewing landscape photos.