Which sky to please average viewer?

[BigDaveE]

I took these on two separate days... Looking for an unbiased eye... I have my favorite, but I'm putting together a calendar of some of my recent shots from Ireland and I'm wondering what you guys think the average person would like the best -

Heavy clouds? Or light clouds?
And why?!

Anything else I should change? I could lighten up the water in the heavy clould one where the clouds were casting a shadow...
And/or I could saturate the sky and lighten up the castle a bit in the light clouds one...

Thanks in advance!

[JimMcrae]

#1 for me. I prefer the sky and there's less shadow on the building. Nice landscape.

[trt-reece]

I like the water in the first, but I like the castle in the second. I definately prefer the shadow on the castle, compared to the first shot.

As for the clouds, and the general shot, I think I prefer the first shot, but I definately prefer the castle in the second.... I haven't really been that helpful ...

[ScottKCooper]

#1 for me.

[kisleboo]

i like #2 initially i liked 1 but the jmore i looked i liked #2 it is seren and calming, easy on the eyes looks like the sun is about to set =)

[jenwales]

I'm about as average as you get and I prefer #1 by a wide margin.

[sapearl]

Hands down #2 is clearly the winner in my book.

The first looks flat and one-dimensional with not much in the way of interesting tonality. The second really has a very nice sense of depth, drawing you into the distance from the darker foreground to the lighter background hues. The fact that the ligtht is hitting it from the left also rivets your attention more. Thanks for sharing.

OK - now that I've posted I read what everybody else wrote.....looks like I'm going against the grain here. I suspect that another reason why I like #2 Dave is because it's similar to the way I shoot some of my landscapes :D. - Stu.

[Mu Eugene]

If you mention average, then #2.

because...

it's a typical picture-perfect postcard sky. I'd expect it on one of the postcards at a giftshop rack if there was a visitor center for that castle.

[jetcode]

is that the castle home between cliffs of moher and doolin, county clare?

[jrorion5]

I prefer #1. I like the color of the stone and the water. If you darkened the sky a bit, it's great.

[FelixDeSouze]

#2 for me.. is more calm.

[BigDaveE]

Hah... It's a split at 4 vs. 4...

Not making my choice any easier, but I guess that makes me feel better and justify why I couldn't make up my mind!

Thanks for all the input...

I hope to hear more...

[Thru my eyes]

I vote for #1 :)

[Quizzical_Squirrel]

#1 but it's just a little too blue on the horizon for me.

I'd love to go there!

[BigDaveE]

#1 but it's just a little too blue on the horizon for me.

I'd love to go there!

Yeah, the clouds were casting a dark shadow... I'll probably go in and lighten that up...

[Flo]

#1 as well.and agree about the blue horizon. I like the look of the castles colors in this one. WOndering if cloning out or lighting the bush on the wall would help, it does look better in the second.

[usukshooter]

Hey, I have the same photo but the sun wasn't as nice that day, unfortunately: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmcnallyphotography/3752322306/in/set-72157621681813351/

I prefer the second one - the lighting is better and I like the color in the sky. Looks like it was taken near sunset/rise? That's always the best lighting.

[BigDaveE]

Hey, I have the same photo but the sun wasn't as nice that day, unfortunately: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmcnallyphotography/3752322306/in/set-72157621681813351/

I prefer the second one - the lighting is better and I like the color in the sky. Looks like it was taken near sunset/rise? That's always the best lighting.

Heh... small world! Did you like that scary little one-lane road that you had to go down for the shot as much as I did?

[usukshooter]

Heh... small world! Did you like that scary little one-lane road that you had to go down for the shot as much as I did?

Oh yeah, that was the best part about rural Ireland! We even saw two trucks pass each other and their side mirrors collided and flew off. But you get roads like that all over England and Wales too.

[sapearl]

We think alike..... even if some may think it looks like a post card :D. And isn't that why some are made into post cards?;) Nice image Robin.

Hey, I have the same photo but the sun wasn't as nice that day, unfortunately: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmcnallyphotography/3752322306/in/set-72157621681813351/

I prefer the second one - the lighting is better and I like the color in the sky. Looks like it was taken near sunset/rise? That's always the best lighting.

[jodelak]

i like the sky and castle of #2 and the sea of #1. but since your question is about the sky, i'll say #2.

[sctbiggs]

what about combining the two

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/nine7grand/castle2.jpg

[Permagrin]

I like #2. The lighting is so perfect in it. It draws you into the photo. #1 makes you step back and look. It seems more saturated and less dynamic in tones.

[The Hard Way]

I will agree that the water looks better in #1 athough I prefer #2. The reason you took the photo is the castle, and the castle looks better in #2. As mentioned, the lighting in #2 gives the castle depth. In #1 there's no definition on the corner, no contrast to the two separate walls, so it looks flat.

[SJC from VT]

#1 for me. I like the darker blue in the sky and water.

[usukshooter]

We think alike..... even if some may think it looks like a post card :D. And isn't that why some are made into post cards?;) Nice image Robin.

Thanks - nothing wrong with postcards! Most have great images imho :D

[swampler]

I think it depends on the look you're going for. #1 looks more foreboding with the heavy clouds while #2 looks more light and happy, so to speak. I do like the light hitting the castle better in #2.

[gcflora]

#2 for me. I like the colours and shadows better

[Kafn8td]

#2 for me, as someone else said it draws me in.

[MNUplander]

The sky and water in #2 is much more appealing to me. The sky and water in #1 look over saturated - especially the water. However, I like the castle and grass better in the first.

[PBeeee]

I like 2 better but I would suggest taking some off the bottom to get rid of the brown bands of grass, I think it affects the color of the overall shot too much. Without it you have blue playing against green only which I think simplifies the shot in a good way and highlights the castle. I'd also lose enough off the right to get rid of that building. I would not worry about getting every blade of brown, just enough to keep that lower road.

[Subicon]

what about combining the two

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/nine7grand/castle2.jpg
This.

[EnglishBob]

#1, more dramatic.

[5x5 photography]

I like them both but I prefer #1 the best.
The blues make it more pleasing to me and it is a little different than a typical scene on a calender.

[Milla]

I love #2 because it has more colour than #1

[sam doman]

Number two looks more natural, but the colours look slightly ott in my opinion.

[sparkin]

Prefer #2, but I'd give it some help in photoshop.

[Vidcanon]

Number 1 :D

[sapearl]

Wow...... the pressure mounts...... Ford/Chevy........ Ginger - Mary Anne :D

[Mu Eugene]

We think alike..... even if some may think it looks like a post card :D. And isn't that why some are made into post cards?;) Nice image Robin.

Thanks - nothing wrong with postcards! Most have great images imho :D


Nothing wrong with postcards indeed. Don't get me wrong, I did not use the term 'postcard' in a demeaning way. I buy the best looking postcards in any given rack to send to friends and family.

By the way, have you thought about slightly different crop between the two choices or is that really a non-issue?

[BigDaveE]

Wow... never expected such a split... It's really kind of funny now..

I guess this is why they say "to each his own"...

Sparkin - what kind of "help in photoshop" would you give it?

Thanks again for the input everybody!

[BigDaveE]

By the way, have you thought about slightly different crop between the two choices or is that really a non-issue?

I'm up for anything - feel free to mess around with it and do whatever...

I can post a link to a bigger one to if anyone would like...

[sapearl]

This is one of the better critiques in which I've been involved because it's actually generating some conversation between the members as opposed to simply stating viewpoints.

Wow... never expected such a split... It's really kind of funny now..

I guess this is why they say "to each his own"......

[DL.Photography]

#1 for sure!

[SadieSue]

#2 for me

The pink sky makes it look more whimsical like a castle in a fairytale

[themadman]

#2 for me.

In the second image, the building looks more three dimensional, more there (for a lack of better term). The colors, lighting, feel. When I look at the photo, I think "Thats a great castle." If the castle is the primary subject of the shot, then the second show cases the subject better.

The first one looks flat, the whole image does it me. Almost like a lack of contrast or exposure issue.

[1Twist]

1-my two cents

[blary54]

#2 definitely.

[vk2gwk]

I am for #1..... Far more interesting sky (complementing the nice castle).

[firebugg]

I like #1. The "mood" of the picture looks more old world wich is what I think of when tninking of Ireland.

[BigDaveE]

I should've made this a poll... From what I count, I'm at 15 for #1 and 17 for #2...

So close... I guess I can't go wrong with either...