Have a look at this image:

Here we are not really shooting upstream or downstream, although you do look downstream as the water turns back into the image (top left). This is an image where we shot more across the stream, just with a little angle applied to it. I really like this image because it combines a lot of elements.

1. We have a nice strong foreground. The foreground points into the image. There is a bit of color in the moss on the log. There is texture. The main part of the foreground is placed strategically on a third (rule of thirds).

2. We have a strong middle ground of flowing water. There are patches of sunlight, but the light is not too strong as we often find in forest scenes when we encounter patches of light. The water is moving (slow shutter speed). The white sections of the water nudge the viewer's eyes across the stream to the other side.

3. The far side of the river is very interesting with intertwined roots and moss. Thus we have a good foreground pointing into the image, a middle ground that pulls the viewer's eyes further into the image, and a colorful, interesting background. Then we follow the river and find that we can explore beyond the background to an even further background that turns back into the image. All the elements work together. This in an image that I can just look at for a long time.

Images that work well are those that combine elements that fit together and complement each other. There is balance. There are distinct phases (foreground, middle ground, background) to the image.

          When we walk alongside a stream, be on the lookout for the things we have been talking about during the last three blogs. Think composition when you shoot. Think about depth, attempt to create depth.