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Not my best effort by far, but I was just experimenting with the 70-300 and thought I'd post this ! I perhaps could have had a little more of the memorial in frame, as I think the trees are a little prominant, but I don't mind the DOF. (once again I need Photoshop!)

Nobody going to comment?? Is it really that crappy??

Hmmmmm Stormygirl, Hmmmmmmm

Will have to consult the experts on this one.

Mic.

It's not telling me anything, Sorry.

I think it could have done with a touch more DOF, the top of the stonework in the frame is slightly out of focus. It feels a incomplete somehow, maybe a bit more of the memorial would have helped. Sorry to be harsh, but I don't really see what you were aiming at with this one...

Hi stormygirl
I have to agree with mic - there is no obvious central point of interest in this photo.
From what you have written, the subject may be the memorial, but the viewer doesn't find anything that compels them to stay there. Also, you have photographed the side of the monument opposite the sun, so the detail is slightly too dark. A reflector or fill flash, or shooting the sunlit side, may have given a better outcome.
I don't think the DOF works - there is not only the tree, but also the traffic sign and fence to contend with. As a suggestion, to isolate the memorial, you might have to raise the camera position and shoot downwards, so that only the grass is the background. Hope this helps, it's meant to be constructive.
But, what I do see is someone looking outside the square, looking for a different perspective.
The other stuff comes with practice, but imagination is essential.

Cool! Finally some replies! No one has been harsh at all, I can see where you are all coming from. Yes, I am trying to think outside the square and use my imagination, but I'm sure it comes with practise (and time....)

I actually think I spend too much time on the PC, but if the kids are asleep, I can't go anywhere, and without a macro lens, things around the house are sooooo boring!

Hi Stormygirl

For what it's worth (hopefully more with inflation!), here is my 2 cents worth.

The first thing I noticed with this photo was the beautiful stone work of the memorial, so can I suggest that you take more shots, emphasizing the stonework? Perhaps lying down on the grass, looking up towards the sky, with the Leading Line being the Memorial itself? I've tried this with a couple of flagpoles, lighthouses, etc, and it's worked quite well. I'll lead the rest up to your composition imagination.

It's frustrating, isn't it, when you shoot something and think it's going to be really great but it doesn't quite turn out like you'd like. Don't be discouraged. It happens to us all - hope everyone agrees with me here, but I don't think I'm the only one it happens to (well, I hope not anyway!)

If you squint your eyes, (reductive viewing), it looks like an elephants foot. Thank you for posting.