Picture critique

Hi, welcome to PAF. Just so you know only a few of us can comment here in the pro critique section. Posting in the other sections will get more responses.

I know you are in high school and will be learning a lot. Photography is exciting and fun to experiment with. Don't get too caught up in rules and critiques. While they are important, you can't do anything wrong right now. As a working photographer if I do something wrong a client may be upset or not pay me (then I won't be able to pay for my house and my car, etc). I have more at stake. Right now just learn and grow your photography skills.

With all that being said -
I am not really sure what your subject matter is. Is it the person? If so you are a little far away and I can't tell what they are doing. Is it the scenery? Then the person is distracting my attention.

I do see how you are trying to frame your picture with the tree trunk and the branches. Good job. That gives depth to your image.

Your exposure looks a little dark, but if it were brighter the sky would be completely blown out (too bright). It looks like an overcast day, which can give nice soft lighting, BUT don't show the sky in your photos, it will be either grey in a too-dark photo or bright white in a lighter photo. I struggle with this a lot. This picture would have been improved with a lovely clear blue sky, but since you can't control the weather I would have come back a different day to take a shot, or shot something else in the area.

I hope this helps. Remember that a critique can seem harsh, but it's not meant to be, it's meant to help you take better photos.
You are on your way!

One thing to remember is your camera can't see what your eye can.
1. The camera can't see dark areas and light areas at the same time. You have to compensate for what the camera can't see that your eye can.

2. Even if you put a lens on your camera to see as wide as your eyes can, the photo will be distorted because your eyes/brain adjust the image in ways the camera can't.
In a single frame, you can't really do much about it so you need to keep in mind your camera's view is much smaller and compose your image accordingly. 

3. Your brain "edits" what it sees. Have you ever looked at a photo and saw power lines or some other distraction that you din't remember seeing when you took it?
Pay extra close attention to little details, sometimes its those details that make or break a shot.

4. Walking through the area to shoot the  "image" gives it "history", gives it a story.  When you show someone the moment in time you captured, it needs to contain some of history, even if the "story" isn't true. If the image "fits" in a perceived timeline it will be more pleasing. (or disturbing, doesn't really matter as long as you get emotion.)   

 Your photo, if the person had been a couple holding hands, the photo would tell a better "story".  Don't just compose a photo, try to compose a story.