I always shoot from a tripod, whether IR or visible light. Sometimes I find that shadows add character to a picuture if balanced by a dark sky or whatever. Anson
I have tried a few shots of IR with my Canon 300D, they weren't too bad, but the 1-2sec exposures was something I wanted to avoid (don't always carry my tripod) So, I've added a Minolta DiMage7 as I heard they were handy in regards to capturing IR, and hand held is a bonus (1/30sec).
In regards to the foreground, there was a deep shadow from a tree overhead, but what you say I agree with, thanks for your input, appreciate it very much.
Depth and composition leads the eye into this image, John, almost as if one could step into it. Nice balance of foliage and sky. I see that you used a digicam here with a fixed lens, but a little wider angle shot to pick up some more of the foreground may have been even better. Anson
0 
{K:174022} 12/6/2006