New here, need Crits on image please!

[llama]

Hi, I'm new here! This is a piece I've been working on for a while, and I want to be done with it! But I want it to be the best it can be, and I want to learn from it for the next one I do, so what is wrong with it, and what can I learn to make my next image I better! Thank you!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Rebun/fun3.jpg

[dogfood]

Having the sharpest bits right along the edge is trapping the eye way over there. It's quite uncomfortable.

The ground textures are very interesting... reminiscent of miniature ground they use for the little lead figures.

My recommendation would be to shift the camera over to the left in order to get a little more interesting stuff away from the edge. Or perhaps make everything in the foreground less sharp and sharpen up the mid ground, where the guy in the trench is.

[masque]

also, consider trying to paint that focal blur instead of filtering it.

[EmiR]

I think the most important is said. i would only close his hand, it dont look like he hold the weapon.

PS:thats a powerful picture.

[JasonUK]

I think the midground is too blurred. Maybe if the focal point was nearby then it might work. But currentley i don't think it has worked.

[llama]

wow! thanks for all the replys, they are really helpful! I have a question about masque's comment, do you mean paint it as in using a normal brush and painting in a way that makes it looks blurred, in that case, is there a good technique for doing that?

[Phattro]

nice start...good potential.
Interesting texture and surface information...altho feel a bit heavy handed.

now what is the purpose of your composition? Right now I feel it is not working. it is left heavy. you can have asymetry composition but still balances itself out. Looking at what you have here....gave me lots of questions. here's a few for you to think about.

why is the guy in foregroud cropped out that way? what are they doing? wheres the midground?

I also have a problem with the depth of this composition. It feels smaller than it should be (this may indirectly echo Dogfood's comment about "miniature ground" because this thing feels like its a Diorama). Also the soldier in the foreground is a bit muddy. His design and execution need some attention both technically and stylistically.

Hopefully the observation is helpful and in your future piece you will build upon what you learn on this one.

Keep creating.