Your Thoughts

I'm going through some images trying to pull out a few desert and ocean scenes to include in some of my art shows. I've asked my wife and a friend of hers which ones they might put on their walls. They each looked at the photos by themselves and I was very surprised to find that out of about 100 photos they both chose the same one! It was one that I have never considered printing. I'd like to know your thoughts before I invest in having a large print made and mounted. I should also note that they chose the image below which is without the 4x5 crop. When I later showed them both versions they again both said they liked the un-cropped version which is shown below. I'm confused by this and would enjoy to hear some additional input on the image. Thanks!

Here's the original crop which they both preferred.

Nice image Erik! I'm going to side with your wife and her friend. I like both, but the original crop has more impact; whatever the heck that means.

Great image.... looked at each two or 3 times and I like the 1st image posted....
Now I am curious just where o where in RMNP did you take this, Id like to visit!

Sorry Tim, this remote lake is one of my most guarded secrets. It is an 18 mile hike in and the last two miles need to be done backwards with your eyes closed while holding your breath.

Erik, Very nice image!. I'm off to Oregon myself tomorrow. I have to say that I disagree with your wife and friend and prefer the cropped version. I hope to get something this nice to put on my wall!

It's the starfish that really makes this above and beyond what is already a top notch landscape. It's no wonder that this caught their eye....it sure catches mine.

I greatly prefer the cropped version! You lost nothing by excluding that expanse of sky, and the starfish was slightly enlarged in the process. A win-win situation in my view.

Thanks for all the input. I guess my real question is whether this purple image is likely to sell. I was originally going to print this blue image instead.

How about this, if I had the $$$ I would go for the "purple" and cropped, and boy, do I wish I had the $$$ And John summed up really well why it works cropped.

#1 Gets my vote.

I prefer the cropped version too #1, for the reasons John mentioned!.

The first has my attention. The stormy sunset light, the wonderful wave action (esp. for Bear Lake ) and the very cool sea star. I prefer the 4x5 version and I also like the "blue" seascape. Not very helpful am I?

I wouldn't suggest listening to the "wisdom" of wives very often, but in this case, I suggest you do so. I like the first cropper more, but either one is spectaculicious.

#1 I think will certainly bring them into your booth. The balance is better in the crop, but its not bad in the second. But I agree with you that #3 probably would sell better. Its more inviting and open. You just never know though with the festival sort of crowd.

+1 for the cropped version! The purple scene has so much more movement and drama; in comparison the blue scene is peaceful, but perhaps boring. How that translates into sales I have no idea!

I really like both of them Erik. The first one sure appeals to my artistic side. The second one is very good, too. I prefer the crop, and John nailed the reasons it works better that way. Excellent work as usual.

Erik, I seem to be pulled into the cropped version more than the original image. However, I would be more than proud to display either of the images in my home.
Both images are extremely beautiful...such warmth.
Dave

Thanks for all the input! I guess I'll do a 30"x40" of #1 based on everyone's comments. Now if it doesn't sell well, I guess I'll have to come back here and complain.

#1 gets my vote as well.

#1 does it for me. Agree with what John said earlier....

#1 has more impact, Erik. It gets my vote, but your wife might be on to something. My non-photographer friends have a totally different way of seeing my photos than I do.

If you are looking for which version will sell, sometimes its better not to ask a photographer. We will answer with which one we think is technically better to a photographers eye, while your wife and friend are telling you which one is more likely to be purchased and displayed on a wall.

Actually Erik I like the new crop more while both are awesome, I think it has the punch I like most.

One more for cropped and a slighly brighter starfish. Nice!

Hey Eric, I'm a little late, but I really like the first image, too. Lots of great stuff going on, dynamic and emotional. Love the starfish too! I'd say it's a winner. Good luck!

Hey, stay out of my backyard dude. I left CO just so I wouldn't have to compete with you.

Of the first two, I like the uncropped version myself. Looks like I'm in the minority, but I think the dark sky lends a lot to the broodiness of the image, which I love. #2 is pretty, and may even be prettier, but #1 gets a stronger reaction from me, fwiw.

I think #3 would sell better than either of the first two. As a photographer, I'm all over the first two. But if I'm a tourist looking for something to connect with my vacation, #3 creates that connection.

I do think you could print #1 or 2 smaller to use as a 'lure' - they're both very eye-catching. Then get the sale with the image that people will connect with?

Like your wife's choice also. It feels more balanced.

Bill Brennan

Erik, For what it is worth, I prefer the cropped version of the wave-starfish image. I also prefer it to the one you liked. That starfish in the foreground and the moody clouds really draw me into that scene. John's comments were right on in my opinion. I have yet to see a photo of yours I did not like and I like the seascape from above the waves. For me, however, it has nowhwere near the impact of the purple cloudy scene. Whatta ya wanna bet, all three would sell. :)

Im late to the party, but #1 all the way!

Erik, Really like #1. Out of curiosity I would be interested if you sell it in a Colorado Art Show.
Over twenty years of doing shows in Colorado 90%+ of my sales were of Colorado and especially of RMNP. Its a great image best wishes.

Don, I'm curious too. I've seen folks buying European doors, Greek Islands and desert SW images so I want to just give it a little try. I'll primarily focus on RMNP images but will have one wall with images from other places just to see.

Thanks again everyone for your input. In the end I ordered a 30x40 of #1 as well as a 24x36 of #3. I'm also including a SW image and a Scotland image.

4x5 crop. But i tend to have a bias that way.

RichieV

Well, I like all of them! Big help huh! I prefer the 4x5 crop by a smidgen.

I really like the first picture. It appeals to my girly side (yes, sometimes i have one). Must be the purple and pink colors. The starfish is a great addition and the wet rocks seem to help the image flow. It looks like one of the motivational posters you'd find in the mall. You could put a catchy phrase on it like "Calmness of mind is one of the wonderful jewels of knowledge" or something cheesy.

Hi Erik,
Well, my technical side says to pick # 2, but my artistic side says to pick # 1. I guess I lean more toward # 1; to me, it has more impact. And I think that there is still enough glow in the sky in the first one. If I was to picture myself standing near those rocks in the foreground in the 1st image, I would feel closer to those waves.