a creative image question

[shutterdown]

Why plan this?

I think I understand what you're saying about this. But, by taking the shot on the same day, at the same time, I'll have fewer variables to concern myself with, such as trees in bloom vs not, casted shadows, etc. It gives me the flexibility.

I'll more than certainly being using layer masks on this project.

The idea of a black and white mixed in, is something I hadn't thought of. That's worth a try, too.