Two Portraits, Same Subject - Which to choose?

[martcol]

I am interested to know which of these you prefer and why. I would appreciate general critique as well, of course.

Image A:
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=27313166
Image B:
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=27313161

Regards

Martin

[llaamaboy]

First image looks like a snap shot. very little thought of how to present subjec to viewer. Anyone could have taken the image, this time, it was me.

If I saw this by itself presented by a photogapher as an example of their work, I would think, "Congrats, you nailed exposure, but then that does not seem to be the challenge any more, the cameras do that. Next?"

The second image is much different. A photographer took the image through a process of creative choices, and presented it to me to complete that process. You used color, posing, composition on a flat two demensional media perceived by 1 of 5 senses to communicate as much as you could.

Oh I could complain about the missing right hand, but that is not the point is it?
I would even suggest you try moving the "blue" a tad more to the image left.

Hang the second image as an example of your work and be proud of what you do.

[martcol]

Thanks again L-Boy...

Dead on!

I do like the second shot more. This woman is my neighbour and she agreed to pose for me to submit an image to a local exhibition that invited portraits from anyone in any medium. The second image was the one I submitted and it was accepted.

Regards

Martin

[Hellashot]

#1 for better compositon. #2 shows too much - her arms are folded which isn't best. Both shots either need levels adjusted or a flash would have been best since it looks to have been overcast with poor light that day.

[bones]

If you are looking to sell or if a gift to this person. Maybe a bit of post processing to warm it up a bit. She tends to look a bit cool. My fav is #1. Maybe even some diffusion may help too.


Lar

[ootsk]

No images?

[Titus213]

I like #1 because there is a focus to the subject. #2 includes too much background for a portrait. Interesting, llamaboy and I have exact opposite views. #2 looks like a simple snapshot, #1 looks like some thought was put into it. I also don't like her stance in #2.

Both images look very grainy to me.

[martcol]

These images were never intended for sale although I did do a more gentle image for the subject to say thanks. As I said, I did them with an exhibition in mind and the second one was submitted and accepted. The exhibition just called for portraits in any medium. The images were intended then, as entries for an art exhibition so, not as commissioned portraits in that sense. I wanted to produce frank, honest even, harsh images that put the woman in some kind of context. That explains why I chose the second image. Anyway, that was it. I suppose the category "reportage" might describe them better that "portrait" although, they are portraits.

As for "grainy," I don't see it. On my monitor they look fine and printed up they look pretty good too.

I appreciate your comments.

Martin