Zion Sunrise (Vert)

I think they both work quite well, but just in different ways. You can't go wrong with either presentation.

I somewhat prefer this vertical version, for what in my opinion is a stronger foreground and a more balanced composition. Zion is such a vertical world. I'd estimate that roughly 2/3 to 3/4 of my compositions from Zion are vertical format.

I prefer the first Scott, simply because to me it conveys more of the scene but I agree with Harley - you can't go wrong with either. Beautiful work.

pat

Scott, I feel that is a strong composition. I like the leading line of the water (and the foreground rock lines, for that matter) that directs our eye toward the peak. I would be curious what a B&W version might look like. Well done.

This one feels more balanced for me, Scott. But both versions work fine! Shutter speed for the water is spot on, I like the pattern that can be seen in the lower part.

Interesting how we react differently (as we should). For me, this one feels subtly unbalanced (heavy right) but when I try to analyze why, the comp. seems fine. I wonder what dodging the tree(s) below the main peak would do for the balance. I like the long look at the stream here. I do like them both.

Superb, I like this better than the first one.

This is my favorite, Scott. I may have been the one that wanted a little more stream. Regardless, both shots are keepers. I agree with Jim, in that Zion really presents itself as a vertical environment.

I like this. There's a nice dynamic going on with the water and the and the rock. It may be just me, but the sky looks a little cyan-heavy. That's minor--this works very well.

--P

I think I prefer the vertical comp because the diagonal provides a stronger line back to the peak in the background.

That's a tough decision, Scott. I like the expanse of landscape and sky in the horizontal one, but I think this one is visually more exciting. If I could have my way (which often is impossible) I would like this better if the camera were further to the right, (erecting scaffolding? mounting your camera on a 10-foot pole? ) The reason for that wish is that the "action" in this comp seems to be all on the right side, so it balances well compositionally, but dynamically it's heavier on the right. Since I can't get everything I want on one image, I'll have to take BOTH.

Put me in the prefer-the-vertical camp. Plus it eliminates the blown out cloud whites from the horiz version. No nits on this one, nice work.

I like this version best Scott.
It puts all the emphasis on the rock bound stream, with its 'bolder' style comp (lame attempt at a play on words here)
Well done!

Scott, I really like them both, at this moment, I prefer the vertical, either way, beautiful work.
John

Vertical wins out, for me Scott. I think the accentuation of shape in the river helps it. Beautiful shot

Scott,

I like the vertical image much more. To me, the image has a wonderful flow/energy about it's nature. The image looks great with colors, contrast details, and all of that stuff.

sweet capture

Scott, these both look great. Both comps work, nice sky, etc. I'm only seeing an issue in the shadows in the FG vs the shadowed areas in the BG. I would recommend darkening the shadows in the FG a bit, while reducing the contrast or lightening the shadows in the BG cliffs.

Along those same lines, do you have any images with only the CPL being used? With side lighting and the nice sky, I imagine this scene might have looked great without the grad, and only using a CPL to darken the sky.

Both are great but I definitely like the vertical version better. For me, it provides more of a lead in and stronger foreground.