It might be a month or so before I have what I need to print again so I am uploading this negscan to compare with the print scan of Birch and Field(also in this gallery). Both photographs were made at the same time in the same light with the same exposure. When I make an actual print of this the tones should look identical.
I think somethimg in between would be best ! This one is better in some ways and not so good in other IMO. I feel it suffers from having no tree tops and sky. Personally I think the best shot might have been 3 paces forwards with a slightly wider lens to exacerbate the leading lines and get the tops of the trees as per print one. This one still has some of the empty ground at the bottom.
Doc - I prefer this one and actually like your decision to crop the sky. Why would the inclusion of the sky make this a stronger photograph? Anyway, this is well seen - the single tree in the background is strong and the lack of lines in the grass in the extreme foreground is not distracting to me. In some ways, this anchors the photograph and relates to the darker background area. Tones look good in the scan, I imagine in person that the highlights in the grass have that classic Azo glow. Very nicely done photograph - perhaps my favorite of all those you've posted.
Thanks to everyone that took the time to comment. I prefer this horizontal version to the vertical scan I posted earlier. This is an unedited scan of the negative. When I print it I plan to burn down the woods in the background to help bring out the white birch tree. I think removing the sky also helps to make the tree stand out. In person, the detail and tones in the foreground grass add an interest and aspect to the picture which is not discernable via a low-res scan. Thanks again to all who took the time to help me evaluate these pictures. All the best. doc