Which version do you prefer?

[doch22009]

Here are two photos taken in two different Fall seasons at the same spot and close to the same time of year. The first was done on a cloudy afternoon with a D300 and the 12-24 zoom at 12mm, while the second was done yesterday with the D800 and a 20mm AF-D, stopped down all the way to slow the shutter speed on a bright morning. Both processed in Lightroom. I really took to heart that Nikon ad for the D800 that says "We're sorry - you're going to want to re-shoot everything.......", but has it been worth the effort?











--
Andrew H.

 

[Florida Nature Photographer]

I really took to heart that Nikon ad for the D800 that says "We're sorry - you're going to want to re-shoot everything.......", but has it been worth the effort?

I definitely prefer the second but it has nothing to do with the camera and everything to do with the light.

 

[richardsealane]

I prefer #1. Actually I would prefer no tree in either.

 

[Bing Chow]

Here are two photos taken in two different Fall seasons at the same spot and close to the same time of year. The first was done on a cloudy afternoon with a D300 and the 12-24 zoom at 12mm, while the second was done yesterday with the D800 and a 20mm AF-D, stopped down all the way to slow the shutter speed on a bright morning. Both processed in Lightroom. I really took to heart that Nikon ad for the D800 that says "We're sorry - you're going to want to re-shoot everything.......", but has it been worth the effort

The second one, only for the light. I can't determine the subject: stream, logs, bridge in distance?

 

[ws1967]

both are nice shots - but #2 is nicer (I prefer the mood of this shot)

 

[goosel]

-nt-

 

[doch22009]

The subject was meant to be the fall colours, and the imag as a whole is meant to convey a feeling of peace and quiet - something I don't get very often during the usual day to day rush.

 

[alexlander]

I really love everything about your photos. From reflections to framing.

 

[jonbev]

I prefer the first, more punch.

 

[axcentphoto]

I definitely prefer #1. But I'm not in love with the bridge. Something wooden/rustic would be more appropriate...Still a Great shot.

 

[Hgreblo1]

I definitely prefer #1. But I'm not in love with the bridge. Something wooden/rustic would be more appropriate...Still a Great shot.

I also prefer the first. The image looks so much cleaner without the log, and lighting does add to the image. It's a very good photo. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Regards,

HGreblo

 

[PPierre]

I definitely prefer the second one. It has way more contrast.

However, even though I find the first picture a bit "flat" compared to the second one, I really like the colors in it, and the composition.

I guess it's a matter of taste, in the end: contrast vs color. Anyway, nice shots !

 

[David Nall]

Here are two photos taken in two different Fall seasons at the same spot and close to the same time of year. The first was done on a cloudy afternoon with a D300 and the 12-24 zoom at 12mm, while the second was done yesterday with the D800 and a 20mm AF-D, stopped down all the way to slow the shutter speed on a bright morning. Both processed in Lightroom. I really took to heart that Nikon ad for the D800 that says "We're sorry - you're going to want to re-shoot everything.......", but has it been worth the effort?

I would say that both were well worth your effort, however a little more pp makes them better IMHO. They both benefit with some cropping, shadow lifting and levels adjustment.
I think the large rock on the left is a bit to dominant so would crop some off the left and lesser amount off the bottom.

I cropped this up from the bottom to lessen the dead tree's dominance, and a little off the left end. I also gave a little bump up on the colors. Now I like the second one the best. Dave

--
Andrew H.

--
Visit my gallery at http://davesphotography9173.zenfolio.com/
View of Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil fall 4 frame vertical pano taken from the tunnel parking lot.

http://davesphotography9173.zenfolio.com/p664463597/h158d1121#h158d1121

My Flickr pics here. https://www.flickr.com/photos/elitefroggyspics/

 

[doch22009]

I see what you mean. I played a bit with the shadows on #2, finally deciding to leave them just a bit dark so as to emphasize the reflection of the sun on the water. A matter of taste I guess. #1 was shot a couple of years ago and I think my tastes have changed a bit since then. Might have processed it a bit differently today. Anyway, nice to have the flexibility to process the files different ways to suit different tastes!

 

[Florida Nature Photographer]

I have to ask about this. You put the very bright sun at the very bottom of the photo. Doesn't this force the eye to look down? Isn't that undesirable?

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[doch22009]

OK, just for fun, here's a different version of #2 taken during the same session but without the dead tree and with the shadows lifted a bit more (the D800 is amazing that way). I also cropped it to an 8X10 ratio for framing. Does this work better?





By the way, the reason I like this little scene so much is that it is easily accessible, but almost no one knows it is there. The bridge is the "world famous" Cabot Trail, and most people whiz across in search of the grand scenic views further up the road, without ever seeing this.

Here it is in early spring:







--
Andrew H.

 

[David Nall]

I have to ask about this. You put the very bright sun at the very bottom of the photo. Doesn't this force the eye to look down? Isn't that undesirable?

The sun reflection is down low in the original, and draws your eye down and then it is stuck there looking at the dead log. Now the log becomes part of the framing, and less objectionable, at least to my eye, and can then explore the source of the reflection and the beautiful fall colors. It would also look great cropped up higher eliminating the reflection in a wider format I prefer it without the extra cropping though. Dave

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Visit my gallery at http://davesphotography9173.zenfolio.com/
View of Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil fall 4 frame vertical pano taken from the tunnel parking lot.

http://davesphotography9173.zenfolio.com/p664463597/h158d1121#h158d1121

My Flickr pics here. https://www.flickr.com/photos/elitefroggyspics/

 

[capturef22]

Is a composite an option?

Honestly, I like parts of both but my preferences have nothing to do with the gear and everything to do with the light and tonal range.

I know it's part of the scene but my eye goes right to the guardrail in the first one, THEN to the beautiful fall colors. I really like them and in this case, I like the way you've handled the water in that image. (I'm not usually a fan of the smooth water look.)

In the second, my eye no longer tracks right to the guardrail, but it does go to the bright open space just above it. It looks like one of those highlights that probably can't be recovered. I'd like to see the fall colors more vividly, like the in the first image. I like the rocks and the log caught in them, but I think the story is improved by having a longer run of creek, as in the first one.

Those pesky things aside, to give you the kind of answer you're looking for though, I think I prefer the second one. It is the overall feeling of a more unique and special moment that makes me choose that one.

Thanks for posting and for the question.

 

[Coach Bokeh]

Very good composition. Was the first photo shot with an ND filter? I like them both but prefer #1.

 

[Florida Nature Photographer]

I have to ask about this. You put the very bright sun at the very bottom of the photo. Doesn't this force the eye to look down? Isn't that undesirable?

The sun reflection is down low in the original, and draws your eye down and then it is stuck there looking at the dead log. Now the log becomes part of the framing, and less objectionable, at least to my eye

Thanks for the explanation.