Seeking feedback : Anna's Hummingbird Flower Shot

Hi, I have some shots of the Anna's sipping nectar from the flowers, I'd like to get feedback on which one is a better composition (or crop) . Or is there any difference at all ??

Thanks for looking, c&c welcome.

#1
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It's always difficult to be the first to answer a question like that, but here goes. Both are very good, Jo. Obviously. But I like the second, more frame filling one just a tad better. I think it's really lovely like that.
Of course, then I go back and look at the first again, to confirm I made the right choice and think: but that one is great too!

I'm confused now! I don't know!!!!!

Hi Jo, great detail on the bird.
Spending a good while with the two photos, I've decided upon the first. My reasoning is solely based upon the up angle of your perspective. The closer crop accentuates the angle while the open crop appears to flatten it just a bit, making it more pleasing to my eye.

I like the second one better EXCEPT that your watermark goes over the birds wing.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #14635494
It's always difficult to be the first to answer a question like that, but here goes. Both are very good, Jo. Obviously. But I like the second, more frame filling one just a tad better. I think it's really lovely like that.
Of course, then I go back and look at the first again, to confirm I made the right choice and think: but that one is great too!

I'm confused now! I don't know!!!!!

Thanks for the feedback Levina, my general preference is to fill the frame too, but I'm kinda back and forth on this one

Diamond Lil wrote in post #14635539
Hi Jo, great detail on the bird.
Spending a good while with the two photos, I've decided upon the first. My reasoning is solely based upon the up angle of your perspective. The closer crop accentuates the angle while the open crop appears to flatten it just a bit, making it more pleasing to my eye.

Thank you Lil, excellent point, I was sitting on the ground when I took this picture, if I took this standing, this will be an eye level picture. Hmmm, I might go back and get a few more pics

jhayesvw wrote in post #14635540
I like the second one better EXCEPT that your watermark goes over the birds wing.

Thanks Jeremy, I can easily fix the watermark

Whichever one you throw out, deed it to me then they'll both have happy owners! lol

Hi Jo, my vote is Number 1, for the same reasons as Lillian.

ardeekay wrote in post #14635702
Whichever one you throw out, deed it to me then they'll both have happy owners! lol

LoL, thanks Rog.

Wallace River wrote in post #14635712
Hi Jo, my vote is Number 1, for the same reasons as Lillian.

Thanks for the feedback Ian

Hi Jo. Nice capture. I prefer the first image as the bird has more space around it in the frame. That layout is also useful if you ever want to print it for a couple of reasons:

1. There is usually some slight cropping on print so your wingtip in teh second shot will be very close to the print edge.

2. If you want to make 8"x10" prints your 2x3 image ratio will become a 2 x 2.5 ratio on paper.

3. Finaly if you matte the print you'll loose (crop) part of all four edges on a borderless print.

Just something to think about.

Very good feedback Stephen, thanks! Very timely too! Our company is encouraging photos from employees to be printed and posted around our building. There's a bunch of photos now from co-workers in the cafeteria and I am impressed by their photos (which made me think 10 more times before posting mine )

I pick #1 because...the size of the group of flowers fits in proportion to the size of the Hummer and the BG. If that makes any sense at all!

nice shot, Jo

Nice hummer, Jo! Good job.
I prefer the 2nd one, I am a fan of framing tight. Good one

I prefer the 1st one for the reasons Stephen explained.

The first one works for me...the top and bottom flowers are sharper than the centre flower and the crop takes those sharp flowers mostly out of the picture and acentuates the softer centre flower which in turn distracts from your main subject.