What is your opinion on these two shots -- having one printed as a gift

[TheHoff]

I need to pick; 1 or 2. My brother asked for a nice black-and-white print of each of his kids for Christmas. I can't choose between these two of his little girl.

(comments on the process/conversion also appreciated if you would do something different)




1.
http://imgur.com/YGhHq.jpg





2.
http://imgur.com/v3RGG.jpg

[Vidcanon]

Both are excellent.. but I would pick #2.:D

[Flo]

Hey Hoff:D

THey are both fabulous...is it possible to dodge the last one a tad on her face? I was thinking that printed out it may be super hot?

If it were me, I think the first one will tug at his heart strings.She has that growing -up-fast feel to the mood.Second is just pure joy!

[joedlh]

What Gail said. Eye contact is always good.

Also, I kind of like heads where the top is not lopped off.

[LeuceDeuce]

Gotta go with #1 Alex. Gut feel.

When I looked at both without thinking, the first was a much stronger draw.

[OdiN1701]

I like the eye contact of #2. If you can tone down those highlights on her face it will be great.

[jetcode]

cropping heads is always interesting particularly since hairlines expose foreheads in different ratios. here is a potential crop of #1 which reduces the forehead to bring more attention to her face.

if I had to choose between either I would send them both (the poll is batting 50% right now)

I've always liked this pose because it reveals introspection, a quality of smile and vitality inside, but perhaps too shy or thought filled to look at the viewer directly.

[PBeeee]

I like #1 much better. I suspect if you fix the highlights more in #2 her face will be covered with strands of hair that will stand out too much. Unless you want to spend time fixing that too, I'd go with #1. Both are very nice 'poses' though.

[pickupman92]

From a photography standpoint, I think #1, but from a father wanting to see a picture of his daughter and her looking back at "him", I'm voting #2.

btw, they were both EXCELLENT in my book.

[LeuceDeuce]

7 to 7 - looks like you're printing both :)

[Bioshock]

I like them both but I'm leaning toward 1. Just seems to be capturing the moment.

[SadieSue]

#2 I love her happy expression in that photo!

[TheHoff]

Thanks for the votes! I was also leaning towards #1 so #1 it is.


cropping heads is always interesting particularly since hairlines expose foreheads in different ratios. here is a potential crop of #1 which reduces the forehead to bring more attention to her face.

And thank you; I'm going with something similar to your crop.

Have you heard of the "diagonal method"? http://www.diagonalmethod.info/

That is the crop tool I use in Lightroom as I find it more effective than the default rule of thirds tool and your crop puts the interest point directly on her eye.

[TheHoff]

Here is my final crop with burning/dodging (more than I would do for the screen but I don't want any of the skin tones going to paper white)

http://imgur.com/B6wIk.jpg

[tkbslc]

Perfect! I am sure he will absolutely love it.

[mikekelley]

Meh, just do both, one big and one like 5x7 or something. It can't be more than $2 more.

[Anke]

Both are beautiful images. I'm going to pick the first one, it's an artier shot and will look fabulous printed big on a wall.
Why not both, one for daddy and one for mummy too :)

[TheJbot]

Great shots. The first thing I thought was to crop it like the other two have. Exactly like those. Much better, imo.

[TheHoff]

Meh, just do both, one big and one like 5x7 or something. It can't be more than $2 more.

haha well they get lots of prints from me; these (I'm doing one of his boy, too) are special because I'm doing the framing. He is a lawyer so it has to be nice for his office. I think I'm doing something modern like dibond and varnished.


Both are beautiful images. I'm going to pick the first one, it's an artier shot and will look fabulous printed big on a wall.
Why not both, one for daddy and one for mummy too :)

Thank you. Mum has one similar to #2 in colour in her living room already; another reason I was leaning towards #1 but I didn't want to say so and bias the poll. Funny poll, too, it is back to almost 50/50.

[Vidcanon]

Funny poll, too, it is back to almost 50/50.


That's because they were both excellent shots imo and it was hard to choose from them.

[Milla]

I can't pick either of them, so I'd probably do both! Truly gorgeous shots!

[jetcode]

The final looks good and I'm sure it will go over well ... thanks for the link on diagonal method, another good read on composition.

[ateepay]

# 1 for sure. Thoughtful, alluring, sentimental.....love it.

[Madelyn]

They're both gorgeus! But honestly, if you're getting a big one printed I would hav eto say the 1st one, she's still smiling, but she's not super posed looking and she she just looks so prettty

----- or do both :) lol

[TheHoff]

Thanks for all the help deciding! Here is the finished print...

http://imgur.com/ecDhK.jpg

(print geeks: Epson 11880 on Hahnemuhle William Turner)

[ronnier38930]

picture turned out really nice. how did they like it ?

[Grimage]

Both are beautiful! If I would choose I would pick 2nd as it is full of life and great to look at. You know the images that fill up your heart... or just simply make you laugh...

bw! Awesome anyways!

[Grimage]

Thanks for all the help deciding! Here is the finished print...

http://imgur.com/ecDhK.jpg

(print geeks: Epson 11880 on Hahnemuhle William Turner)

And ofc I was a bit late:D Nice one! Pure beauty!

[TheHoff]

Thanks! He loved it. I've done another of his little boy now to match.

[Flo]

Just perfect Alex.

[Palladium]

Both are excellent.. but I would pick #2.:D


plus 1

Opps - I'm late to this party