Posted by John Mumaw on February 5, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Great shots!
Tough call for me. I like the more in focus branches and slight hint of color in the sky in #1, but much prefer the bird's pose in #2.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 5, 2011 at 6:06 PM
I feel the same as John. I think I would give to nod to #2, but ask me tomorrow and I'd probably change my mind. I like them both.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 5, 2011 at 6:08 PM
I love the "minimalistic" compositions.
Ditto on John's comments. I'd have to chose #1, because I prefer the branches in focus.
I'd consider cropping #2 into a vertical, that would eliminate the OOF on the right.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 5, 2011 at 6:21 PM
And Bill's advice is good. That would make #2 my choice then.
Posted by Lance Burch on February 5, 2011 at 7:35 PM
I like number 2 as well. THe vertical crop sounds like it would work well.
Posted by Don Grall on February 5, 2011 at 7:53 PM
#2 because of the catchlight in the eye.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on February 5, 2011 at 8:36 PM
Both are very enjoyable, with a nod to #2! Well done!
Posted by Joe Rogers on February 5, 2011 at 10:12 PM
I love the high key look of both photographs and the softness it implies. A litttle more sharpening of branches would do well, but, not too much...it would spoil the overall effect IMO. I like #2 best. great presentation, here.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 5, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Number 2 and I agree with conversion to vertical. Nice pose.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 6, 2011 at 12:24 AM
I'm not gonna pick. I'm just gonna say that these are a couple of the most striking avian images I've ever seen! Breathtaking!
Posted by Lynn Scott on February 6, 2011 at 1:28 AM
Both are nice but would go with the Vertical as suggested. Great shots!
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 6, 2011 at 10:52 AM
#2 and a vertical crop on both works for me. The simplicity is great.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Koveh Tavakkol on February 6, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Excellent work. Love #2.. I would even consider a bit tighter crop taking out some from the lower right to place the bird on one of the 9's. Excellent shot though.
Posted by Dan Walters on February 6, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Kestrels are such striking birds! Both are very nice, but I prefer the profile in #2. I like the crop ideas if you have the pixels, but it's working well for me as is, at least on the web.
Discussion
17 repliesTough call for me. I like the more in focus branches and slight hint of color in the sky in #1, but much prefer the bird's pose in #2.
Ditto on John's comments. I'd have to chose #1, because I prefer the branches in focus.
I'd consider cropping #2 into a vertical, that would eliminate the OOF on the right.
Joe Rogers
Bill Brennan