Need Opinions

This is actually one of my favorite shots recently from Cle Elum. I was struck by the graceful, understated colors of these aspens, and I processed this with the intention of preserving that mood and feeling. Which version shows best? I'd love to hear opinions!

This first version is pretty close to what I saw, with lower contrast and muted colors.

This version is with the contrast increased considerably, causing the trunks to stand out in stark relief.

This third version is somewhere in the middle...

Version 3 works best for me Joe. 1 is a bit too flat, 2 is a bit too much contrast, and 3 is just about perfect. Very nice image by the way. I like the subtle colors.

I like number 3, but what I think I like is that the saturation is getting a bump as portions of the photo darken. My recommendation is the first with a saturation bump. You don't have to make it crazy, just enough to give it a bit more color contrast. I really like the _lack_ of contrast in the first, it gives it a refined look. Regardless, this is a very nice photo Joe!

Thanks for your input John. This scene reminded me of similar shots I've seen from you in the past. Is this version what you had in mind?

Hi Joe! I'm partial to the 4th version. I think John's suggestions were right on and you processed it well. Nice photo!

I like the third version the best.

I think I would like third but with more saturation. The aspens are a little gray for my taste without the contrast boost, but, heck, it's a winner any way you look at it. One consideration....did you try cropping. The close and more full tree to the right pulls my eye. Not sure how it would look without it, but you might play with crops.

Either number 3 or number 4, Joe. #1 is so brilliantly understated that I am enamored with that one. I'd try brushing over the tree trunks with a "dodge highlights" brush at a very low setting; then, use the burn brush on the grasses for both highlights and midtones, again at a low setting. I'm hoping the results will be YUMMmmmmmy.

Definitely the final one for me Joe. I really like the softness, where the color contrast is emphasized more than the luminance. I played with web cropping after reading Marylynne's post, and I think a crop of just the upper left part of the image is a really cool abstract. I don't prefer it to this one; I like both.