Crop or no crop?

Technically, I know I don't have to choose, I can have my cake and eat it, too. I'm just curious which one you like better. The full-frame version retains all that awesome sky color, but the pano crop is more succinct, stripped down to its fundamentals.

Just go HERE and mouseover the image to see the cropped version. I think I know what the consensus will be, but we'll see.

I personally prefer the full version. As you said, it has all that great color that is a real shame to loose.

I'm no help, I like them both. Maybe your intended use should dictate the crop. Great image though.

The full frame version gets my vote, Todd. Very nice image.

I prefer the cropped version because the sky is just too big in relation to the other elements present in the full version.
There's a real sense of harmony and balance (..and peace and love and Macs.. ) in the cropped version. Quite a beautiful image you have here, too!

I agree with John, CROP! In the full version the ridgeline basically bisects the image and you have half sky, whereas in the crop you have 1/3 or each -- sky, mountains and dark foreground. Balance is better in the crop...but I still like the full version too.

For sure the crop version.

Crop version.

Cropped! Works better with less sky.

My opinion ... the great comp and Caudle clouds jump out, but the sky color is the real star here. Full frame gets my vote, without doubt. The pano distributes the elements evenly - which is far less interesting than letting that beautiful color take center stage. I don't want an even balance of trees, mountains and sky. Smack me in the face with that color.

Guess it all depends on what you're trying to show off here. If you had just shown the pano, my jaw is still dropping.

What a scene!

I love both versions, guess it depends the usage of the images. Personally I prefer the large sky making this a very comfortable image to appreciate.

Crop for me.

Beautiful Scene. I think I prefer the uncropped version as well.

Todd,...that is one amazing shot.... no crop for me... full version really shows the colors and really contrast against the blues, dark foreground in the shot.

I like it cropped. Might even crop a tad bit more off the top....

I like a cropped version, but one that is not nearly as cropped as the one you linked to. Like others said, the color in the sky is nice...while there may be a little too much sky, don't crop it all out! LOVE the picture!

I prefer the cropped version better, Todd, similar to John M's thoughts.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the crop, but I could live with either of them.

- d

I really like the cropped version. More emphasis on the mountains and you still get the color in the sky.

I also agree with John- go cropped!

I like the pano better

I like the symmetry in the pano, but the color is overwhelming in the first one, so yes, both!

The cropped version is much more balanced. I prefer the pano to.

One more for the crop,it draws my eye into the image more effectively.

Both are nice, but I prefer the crop as well.

Full size does it for me.

Hmm, I'm on the fence on this one; yes to both.

I prefer the pano crop.

Full version, for the same reason Jesse pointed out. Though the pano is also quite good.

Mel-

Crop Crop Crop

The crop is more impactful for me.

Bill Brennan

I prefer the full version. The crop does not have the same range of light and is therefore less dramatic for me. You lose the beauty of the sky but do gain a bit more focus on the valley fog. The shadow foreground pulls the weight down so I don't feel at all that the full image is too evenly bifurcated. So, which do you like more?!

I can see your dilemma. I choose the crop version for the same reason, John gave.