Why it Works!!!

Picture by Mick Carver

Why??

Here are some of the reasons:-

The eye is led by the furrows to the tree (a focal point) and draws us into the picture, but note that the tree is not sited in the centre of the pic (which would act as a block) but offset slightly to the right, which allows the eye to travel further into the picture to the background trees and hills. 

Mick has also very effectively used the rule of thirds.  The fields and distant hills occupy the lower third of the picture.  The upper third is very cleverly suggested with the variation of the clouds and sky.  The variation in the sky colour also creates interest but doesn't detract from the focal point (the tree).

The warm green of the new plantings in the foreground brings this part of the pic towards us and the greyer/darker colours of the background trees and hills recede, creating the illusion of distance and adding depth.

Let me say again that this is my opinion as an artist, not as a photographer!  So please feel free to put your own point of view.

I like Adams photo as its more Natural and David I think is very good as its been taken so close or cropped and  framed and some how its been made more personal or that’s the way it feels to me anywa. :)

Thanks Shaun, those are both very valid points. 

Adam's pic is slightly more distant and invites you to wander around a little more (more open) and the overcast conditions make it a calm quiet picture while David's pic gives you a tighter focus on the house, and the brighter light, from the side, creates deeper shadows and brighter colours creating a more "active" pic.  BOTH WORK! 

The furrows in both lead the eye to the "focal point" (the house) and then the lines in the field behind the house draw you eye up to the horizon with its row of trees (but your eye doesn't stop there!). 

Both also have interesting skies and have, more or less, used the rule of thirds, and both have a good sense of depth (distance), and of course both have a story to tell!