Hi all. I have two versions of a scene that I like. I'm at odds with my wife over which is better. Could I get a preferred from the following images?
Thanks,
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com

Nice shots. I prefer the top one. Foreground/background relationship feels best and it's color stands out a little better.

I also prefer the first one for the same reasons. Colors are more vivid in the second one but the first gets my vote.

Ditto.

So who wins? You or your wife? 

Yep....#1 is better. The wide-angle juxtaposition of the large boulder and the bridge makes for an interesting focus. Also, the shape of the bridge, boulder and the river rocks makes a circle which helps keep attention to the main objects.

The second photo might have a better chance if the upper right area weren't so bright and distracting. As it is, my eye keeps wanting to go up there rather than staying on the stream and bridge.

I agree with the crowd. And I'm curious about the answer to Eric's question, as well!

Jeremy

If I hadn’t seen the first one I’d like the second one. The first offers more texture, color, action. The 2nd is a nicer study of the water, but it turns into a lot of only mildly interesting space in comparison to the first.

Maybe if the 2nd one was cropped just this side of the moss covered rock in the foreground it would improve the image.

But they are both really good works!

Dan, I much prefer the perspective in the top image...Matt

My wife wins. The top is my original from three years ago, the bottom was taken last year. I like the composition and soft lighting on the bottom one, but I will go with the populace if I'm trying sell work.
Thanks for all your input and if anyone else would like to cast a vote please do.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com

Another vote for your wife's choice. The top one is better!

Mike.

The second one looks overcooked, at least in my calibrated monitor. First one.

My wife is also a valuable critic of my work.

Your wife has a good eye Dan. Lovely image.

I guess I'm weird. I like the second one better, mostly because the water is more beautiful in it...

Lisa

Thanks. Here is a revised version of number 2 with more contrast and color correction.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com

Sorry, Dan, I have to side with your wife. I prefer the composition of the first one - more of a sense of depth. I also like that there is a little more red in the background trees.

Eric J.

1 more vote for the second image (first version). While the foreground is more interesting in the first, the leading lines of the water flow through the colorful water in the second draws me into the picture.

Cheers!
Bill

I prefer the first, BUT..
I like the streaks of water in the second, and maybe more should/could have been made of these, even by cropping the lower water movement out of the frame.
If it was me I think I would go back and try to concentrate on the scene above the rock in the foreground.
Will it work?? I don't know.

I also think the angle of the bridge works against the second one.