It is very hard to get focus on branches and make background blurred still keeping important things in focus. This version is the best compromise I got.
COMPOSITION The composition of this photo just doesn't feel right to me. The hand is awkwardly placed behind the vine. The hand is apparently reaching for the "branch" but that isn't communicated readily. Additionally, the surface (floor, table, whatever) doesn't add anything to the composition and likely subtracts from it. Instead, I would have tried suspending the branch in front of a neutral background - black or white would have worked - and had the hand coming in from either left or right. And then there's your border. I generally don't like borders that call attention to themselves. The best border is the one you don't notice because it's subtle, understated, and blends perfectly with the image. Yours is a bit conspicuous.
TECHNIQUE The two primary things I'd mention here are your choice to light the scene using flash, and the use of autofocus. The flash caused stark shadows to appear and detracts from the elegant simplicity of the vine. Using auto focus at f/4 for this scene forces your rebel to chose a focus point somewhat arbitrarily (it seems to have selected the stem leading to the large leaf on the left). Instead, stop down your aperture a bit to add some depth of field, and manually focus to keep as much of the plant in focus. Now it could be that your intention was to blur the background and hand. Fair enough, but I would still recommend manually focusing in a situation like this so you can choose what part of your foreground is highlighted by sharp focus.
You didn't say how you achieved the selective de-saturation, but whatever method you used, it worked well. Maybe just de-saturating all the channels except green??
OVERALL IMPACT As shot, I think it's a fairly low impact picture, as was reflected by your 5.2 score. It just didn't resonate with the voters and make them stop and stare. I think you have achieved an artistic shot, but keep working on drama and pure visual appeal. Make the voters stop and stare with their jaws on the floor.
I like this photo with the mix of color and B&W. (If this was the intent then great, otherwise:) To me the placement of the arm is a bit off. It's angle looks a bit off so in a way, it doesn't look alive. I'd crop the top edge just a bit so I can't see the shadow of the bend of the outside of the elbow starting. And then straighten the wrist with the arm so the hand is going off to the right instead of directly looking at the camera. (I'd actually like to see that pose next to this one to see if that really had the same impact as this one) Otherwise, the DoF with the Ivy draws the eye to the slightly out of focus hand very nicely. I'm drawn to following tha line from the bottom front of the photo curving around to the top back.
Nicce shot. Very creative, and I love the vibrancy of the eaves. I think it would be a bit more interesting if the hand was coming from the side though.
it's an interesting idea -- the human element adds emotion. was a flash used? this would have been even better without the harsh shadows case on the floor...
Love the brilliant green against the grey... I understand the concept of the title "branches" of life but I find the hand distracting. "Branches" would have been complete in the ivy sprig itself
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