Which one works better?

[Flagpole]

G'day!

Just wondering which one works better in terms of composition between these 2 images?

http://members.oztralia.com/~bfeldman/OP/115_1581lsepia_std.jpg

and

http://members.oztralia.com/~bfeldman/OP/115_1582lsepia_std.jpg

I wasn't trying to compose them in any special way at the time but they came out following the basic composition rules. I am debating as to which one I find more pleasing.

Flagpole
Sydney, Australia

[klinz]

number 2 i like.

[MilesG]

i feel the first is the best

[tim]

I like #2 best, #1 I find bland and boring (no offense, of course).

[sparker1]

I like Number 2.

[arumdevil]

I find the first one too "in yer face".

but the second one is fantastic!!!

[Big_B]

I really like them both. They have very different feelings, but I think both work in their own right.

[cmar]

#2 is better to me, I find myself looking at and enjoying it much longer.
It still has the wonderful shape that #1 has dominating it, but it gives much more for the eye to peruse, without being cluttered.
In #1 the building in the background is a distraction, in #2 it adds to the scene.

[Olegis]

I like the second one better. In the first one there is a fragment of the building which goes up and then is cropped (upper right side). The second one is just beautiful, I like the fuzzy effect.

[wpez72]

The second does it for me, i like the use of the gaps in the pavement as leading lines, drawing you into the picture..

Will

[jacob]

Second one

[Radtech1]

I concur with the others in preferring No. 2, however that preference is a "just barely" preference. I really liked both shots, and I like the postprocessing. Please share the steps in getting this. I am guessing multiple layers with at least one layer having a Gaussian Blur? Is that correct?

Rad

[defordphoto]

#2 for sure. With #1 you kinda wonder, "What the heck is that?" With #2 you say, "Ahhhh, yeah. I know that." Nice comp on #2. The concrete gaps are nice. Weird, but nice effects.

[Ranger187]

#2 is softer on the eyes and perceives a ghost like appearance. Of it could be the beer that I drank last night is still altering my vision. ;)

[Flagpole]

G'day all!

Thank you all for the replies. Now you see my dilema :) I like #1 because of strong shapes. It relies on familiarity with the subject but like Arumdevil says its "in you face" but the wonderful texture on the Opera House walls then grabs your eye.

I love #2 cause it really shows the scene. Its has background/foreground elements, leading lines and open space. I was thinking of cropping the bin out but then I thought hey this ain't the essence of phtography. Hence it adds to the scene to me by making it less sterile. I think as far as visual impact #2 would be probably a better choice to hang on the wall.

I'm in the processs of finally ready to order some 12x18in to hang and thats just one of the choices. Now all I need to do is get other 3 nailed down :)

Radtech: I can't claim the credit for the post-processing. That a PS Action called Midnigh Sepia by Dave Jaseck. It is available from this link with examples http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm#Frames . People have been combining it with "Paintinf with Light" to get some wonderful effects http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1005&message=11304683 (check the authot gallery out for some other examples) that you can see at Dpreview Retouching forums (ny refuge when this wonderful forum was down). I hope you find it useful.

Thank you all for all replies agaun,

Regards,
Flagpole

[chrishoggy]

first one for me as the subject is in the center and you are pulled in by it. The second one doesn't seem to have a focal point to me, and are forced to look to the right of the photo for detail.
But what do I know :D

[sameerb]

I feel Second one is better

[Agaric]

Second one easily, while the first shot is interesting it looks like it is missing something on the bottom of the shot. IMO
I really like the composition in the second one.