Please help me choose between two shots...

[Wildewinds]

Did my first studio shoot the other day for a photography class. I am picking the photos I'd like to print. Two of them are very similar, and I'd like your help in picking the best one. The subject for the shoot was "drama." Which do you like?

Also, any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Please be mean and nasty. Like I said, this is my first try, so I need to learn.

Choice #1:
http://www.pbase.com/wildewinds/image/42825579.jpg

Choice #2:
http://www.pbase.com/wildewinds/image/42825623.jpg

Thanks for the help!

[JmprSteve]

I like the first, it appears like a classified ads with job opportunities circled and he has an air of optimism about it.
I work in the IT industry - having been "between" jobs often enough, I may be reading more into the picture than there really is. But it struck a chord.
Nice picture.

[jfrancho]

He looks a little deranged. Are those personal ads he's circled? Perhaps he could be the "Rosary Serial Killer"

[TheBlindOne]

I like the second one more. they are both strong images though.
Riaz

[cyclone]

I like the first better. The eye shows up a bit more, and I like this. More importantly, there is more space in the first picture for the subject to stare into - gives a better sense of depth. Also the newspaper is visible in the first picture, but doesn't detract as much from the subject as it does in the second.

[khtwo]

I like the first one more. It's more balanced.

[Barb42]

First one - the second cuts off the cross. Could use some cropping - maybe below the wrist. In the first, he looks engaged in something intense and important. In the second, just depressed. You have caught the emotion mush better in the first. A great start.

[mrclark321]

I like the first one best....The cross in the second is almost distracting as in the first it seems more balanced.


Dan

[embdaw]

I like the first one best, it has great lighting and I am first drawn to look at his face whereas in the second picture, I am distracted by his arm and the cross

[sixshot]

Both are good but #1 gets my vote. I like being able to see more of the eye.

[Rob612]

#1 for me also.

[Croasdail]

These are such strong images, personally I don't think the news paper adds anything. It doesn't kill by any stretch of the imagination, I just don't think it adds. When I first saw the image I didn't really notice them until I read the first review... and now my eye keep getting drawn to it. I know it fills out the story... but...... I still think the prayerfull look says enough. The "why" could be left up to the viewer..... for what its worth. Great work though - great lighting - overall I love them. Minus the adds I would go with #2. Cheers!

[jfrancho]

These are such strong images, personally I don't think the news paper adds anything. It doesn't kill by any stretch of the imagination, I just don't think it adds. When I first saw the image I didn't really notice them until I read the first review... and now my eye keep getting drawn to it. I know it fills out the story... but...... I still think the prayerfull look says enough. The "why" could be left up to the viewer..... for what its worth. Great work though - great lighting - overall I love them. Minus the adds I would go with #2. Cheers!I like your idea of a "less is more" concept; to leave it up to the viewer. Good point. I wonder if there was a requirement to the assignment to include the newspaper?

[montreal]

I like your idea of a "less is more" concept; to leave it up to the viewer.

I agree. I always spend more time looking at images that raise questions than looking at the ones that say everything.

[pyterps]

I like the first one. I would clone out what is in front of his right eye.

[Wildewinds]

What you guys don't see in these two photos is the gun on the table. The original idea was for him to be seeking guidance between two choices (ie getting a job at a 7-11 vs. robbing a 7-11). I'll post the rest of the shoot later tonight in the People section.

I like the first one. I would clone out what is in front of his right eye.
Do you mean the little thing just below the eye, or something else? I think it's a wrinkle or something, but it does look like a piece of fluff. I'll take that out.

[kawter2]

IMO #1 has a LOT more emotion!!!


Great job on both though!

[jfrancho]

That's like saying, what you didn't see was the pink elephant outside the frame...doesn't mean anything if you can't see it. I'd like to see a shot that includes the gun.

[Titus213]

It gives me the impression that he is not looking for work but for a place to live that he can afford. Don't know why but being out of work is not as serious as being on the street...

They are crisp images. Both pictures have amazing light control and composition but I have to ask what the light colored object is in the background directly in front of the eyes in both pictures? It looks like a motion blur but I don't think that's what it is. I find it very distracting in an otherwise excellent set of photos. I think both photos would be improved with its removal....

[Wildewinds]

They are crisp images. Both pictures have amazing light control and composition but I have to ask what the light colored object is in the background directly in front of the eyes in both pictures? It looks like a motion blur but I don't think that's what it is. I find it very distracting in an otherwise excellent set of photos. I think both photos would be improved with its removal....

It's actually a bottle of Corona. Much more visible in the full sized photo. You're right in that it's distracting at this resolution. I'll see how it prints out and decide whether or not to remove it. Thanks.

[exposingmyself]

The original idea was for him to be seeking guidance between two choices (ie getting a job at a 7-11 vs. robbing a 7-11

For such a wonderful looking ethnic male I wouldn't portray him in this kind of scene.

On the second, I like the lighting on his face. All the best on your photography class.

[Wildewinds]

For such a wonderful looking ethnic male I wouldn't portray him in this kind of scene.

On the second, I like the lighting on his face. All the best on your photography class.

Honestly, the decision on the scene was decided before we ever saw the model. Originally, the model was supposed to be a white guy who had spent most of his life in and out of jail. However, he couldn't show. The guy we ended up using has appeared in a few movies (ironically his last role was a prison inmate in the new movie "The Longest Yard") and was a neighbor of one of our classmates. He was great. His face has sooooo much character.

[Todd Jacobsen]

Ist one is a better composition but the pose looks too staged.

2nd one the subject shows better emotion & better lighting but bad composition (which is reflective of the comments posted previously).

[RAitch]

I like #2 to be honest. There's something about #1 that makes it look too posed (compared to #2). I think it's the perfectly verticle arm. The "softer" bent arm adds to the smoothness of the image I like it.

Having said that, I think #1 is composed better. The cross and bottle are cut off in the second image.
All that said, I think you can use either and be happy.

[Wildewinds]

That's like saying, what you didn't see was the pink elephant outside the frame...doesn't mean anything if you can't see it. I'd like to see a shot that includes the gun.

Posted the rest of the images. One has a gun. :)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=528814#post528814

[serissolutions]

First one!

[jfrancho]

Posted the rest of the images. One has a gun. :)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=528814#post528814Thanks, I will check them out tomorrow, no broadband here.

[demstech]

i like number 1 better

[VegasGeorge]

I vote for number one. I find the angle of the beads and cross in number two distracting. It looks as if they were caught in mid swing.

[exposingmyself]

His face has sooooo much character. It sure does!!! Maybe because of this I would have like to seen his frontal portrait. His hair has alot of character as well. :D