A or B

"A"

Spent some time in my backyard on the Sonoma Coast last weekend at Kruse Rhododendron SR. Much too early for any blooms but I really enjoy the Phillips Gulch trail this time of year especially now that we've finally had some significant rain this season. So...I'm wondering what you think about these two images from the trail. I little a more partial to the first one since the trees are better separated but I on the second one I can look past that as I like the more obvious addition of the fourth tree. In both images the foreground trees may be a bit heavy but zooming out to lessen there dominance did not produce good results because of the foreground. Anyhow, any thoughts or comments you may have are appreciated. If you don't think either image has merit you are welcome to choose none of the above.

"B"

For me, no question I like A better. A much simpler, cleaner composition to my eye.

Nice shots MIke. I have been wanting to visit that area in the Spring. Hopefully this year with all the rain there will be a lot of Rhoddies in bloom.

I prefer "A." B seems a bit too busy with the fourth tree merging from the other one. I think less is more in this case.

My 2c,

Derek

I prefer B...the slanted tree on the left breaks the vertical lines in a pleasant way.

Mike,

Both do a great job in framing the scene and providing that "window to the world" kind of view. Personally I prefer the A version because of two things. It's simpler, but also because there is more detail in the framing trunks. The fourth tree is a nice addition, but it's "tweener." It either needs more space in between or none at all, if that makes sense.

They're both very nice captures from the redwoods.

Lon

I vote for A too. I like it a lot better. The detail in the trunks add a lot.

- Dan.

A for me. The composition in B feels too haphazard. I do find A a bit claustrophobic though, but I love the bit of stream passing through.

I prefer A, also, Dan. Better detail in the framing elements and more breathing room for the already restricted central scene.

I like them both. You took advantage good lighting conditions. The FG
trees nicely frame the compositon.

Wow thanks everyone for taking the time to weigh in. Floris I agree with you about the closed in feel of the image, but I like the image enough to keep it around. :) I'm really trying to expand my photographic boundaries and find comps where I hadn't before. A lot of that comes from the images many of you have posted. Thanks again for your input!

I'm with A myself a lovely shot that draws you deep in to the frame. It is a little tight and there are 2 areas on the left tree that seem to be needles in the bark that are hightlighted. For me those are a little distracting.But overall a great shot that would hang on my wall.
B Is also has great exposure and color but feels a little blocked up with the additional tree and brushier tree in the background.
Although it does have some quite interesting color tone.

When composing shots like these I always try to visualize a young child chasing an adventure. Then decide if I have stopped the adventure or got them more exicted for the adventure. A certainly makes me want to run to that location to look around the bend where the adventure could be hiding. B slows my adventure with the bushy tree deeper in the frame.
But both are great shots!!!!

Sorry to have rambled on.....haven't been sleeping well......

Jay

I like the composition in the first one better. The spacing between the trunks in the second shot does not work as well for me. Very nice.

Mike,

Flip a coin for me, but the fact you generated a feeling with either image means allot. It's the hardest thing to do. I know its probably the result of a deep seated genetic fear from our distant past of not being able to see everything around us clearly. But, after all isn't that the feeling you get in the forest, instead of like in a closet and feeling the walls closing in, in a forest it's like the trees are closing in. So that makes the images work well for me.

Paul

a

"A" for me... particularly as a vertical pano (16x9 ratio) with about half of the left tree trunk cropped out. I think that strengthens the comp and emphasizes the the vertical theme that runs through this image. Very nice!