Which is better?

In June of 2004 I shot an image of Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park which I have sold a lot of and which people often request in sizes larger than I could print it in, since it was taken with the original Canon Rebel. This morning conditions were finally ripe again for me to re-try the scene with my Canon 5D. Unfortunately, I am still on crutches so I wasn't able to be very mobile and try many compositions. I took the following 4 images though and am curious if you think one of these is better than the others. Any input you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0603b.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0603c.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0603d.jpg

I guess I need to re-read the post on how to show multiple images in a thread.

I like the third version best.

Mel-

B gets my vote.

I like the third the most. It has closer view of the background mtns and the tree in the middle left of the frame. It appears that the other compositions, while nice, tend to dwarf these other strong elements. For me that is one of the greatest challenges in shooting WA in the mtns. I noticed this most of all in the Tetons. I didn't want the 'Grand' Tetons looking like the mini or flattened Tetons when shooting WA.

I also think the original is great compositionally and can see why so many purchase it.

My 2c.

I think the third is (a) closest to your original composition, and (b) the stronger picture for the reasons Derek notes.

BTW, can't you swim on those crutches to reproduce your original shot?

I like the posted image and the third in the list. The other two, while having strong foreground detail, seem to draw the eye out of the shot with the way the water runs out of frame. The third in the list avoids this by having the water not quite as strong an element. I think I might like the posted image the best, though.

I like b. The stream ripples, rock placement, and tighter composition make this one work for me over c. I'll admit I like "Moraine Red" more than any of these. But if people are buying, who I am to argue .

My preference would be a, d, b, c.

Grant, I just re-shot Moraine Red this morning too. :lol: It sells well too, but not as well as this one. I guess that's because most people see the park in the daylight rather than right at sunrise.

Thanks for the helpful comments so far. I'll wait this out to see what everyone else has to say before I go and print one of these.

It's between your best seller and 603c ~ 603c captures the whole curve of the river and draws me in. And I'm really happy to see something other than the view with the big rock in the middle.

I hope you'll be covering big miles soon.......

I prefer a and d.
b and c are too wide and make the snow covered peaks appear too small for my tastes.

Was the original shot from the water? If not it has that appearance anyway, which I think also adds to its drama. In this case I really like the separation of the distinct layers - foreground water, midground green valley and background snow capped peaks. It just shouts Moraine Park! I can imagine this composition works especially nice in larger prints. Did you try one like this one again with an all water foreground?

** Edit: I just realized that the image in this post above was a new 'recent' one and 'not' the original right? If so I think it is even stronger than the last one which I liked in lieu of getting 'this' composition. It just seems stronger.

I like the 3rd one best.

I like this one:
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0603d.jpg

But that may because I'm sick of the wide angle look. It's done so poorly so often.

Eric, I must say it's a very tough decision. But I think I prefer "a" first with "b" a very close second.

I think I like D then B. I like the feeling of being in the river in the one you posted.

I am having a difficult time deciding; they are all very worthy of printing.

I prefer a, then d, then b, then c

I like c with perhaps some more contrast in the clouds and a bit less sky.

I personally like B best

I really like B. Great light and colors also.

It's a tough one to choose, but I think d & b are my top choices. I like how d has a anchor point with the grass, and likewise with b.

I like 'b', it has the best action in the water.

My question is - Why do you feel the need to choose? They all appear to be good photos, so is it possible to present these images so that the customer chooses???

Tim!

Thanks Tim,

The challenge is that I need to have one hanging in my gallery and want to choose the right one. I simply can't afford the money or space to do several and customers are already overwhelmed with the available choice. At present I have 909 images on my website and want to be selective about what I add.

I've often heard that it's the 910th image that can make or break a photographer!

I'll go with 'a' for a few reasons - I think it's most similar to the original, so you know you're going to sell it; I also think the repeating curves of the left shoreline are a subtle but very important contributor to the "feel" of the scene, and they're most effective/prominent in 'a'; and, the focal length is perfect with the snow-splashed mountains stretching across the entire frame. I also like the way that the water covers the entire bottom of the frame, pulling me in to the scene whereas in the others, I feel like I'm standing on the shore - more of a distant observer than an actual participant in the scene.

I like A as well. I agree with Rick that the lack of a shoreline really pulls you into the image in my opinion. Perfect focal length as well to maintain the scale of the mounatins. Great shot - and I'm sure this will be a big seller as well!

My vote is for B. I like the grass and rock in the foreground.