Dunes...which orientation works better

Hi all..a couple of Dune pics from a recent work trip to Namibia..

Which one works better or is a better photo?

Critique appreciated...

Cheers
Phil

Nice. Horizontal for me.

Horizontal for me too! Nice image.

#1 for me

Yeah thanks guys.....was kind of thinking that myself but staring at them both for far too long...

Definitely #1.

Definately number 1 for me also.

Another vote for horizontal.

I like both but #1 works for me

Strangely Brown wrote in post #15415712
I like both but #1 works for me

I agree, #1 is my favorite.

I also like the horizontal layout better, and it does convey a sense of the area being vast and empty. But, I do have a problem with the composition. The foreground 'wedge' of sand points to the edge of the picture. In addition, the resulting midrange hills also form a wedge pointing at the right edge. This causes the viewer to first latch onto the foreground sand and follow it off of the picture. Then one has to jump back to the midrange hills and is again led off of the picture.

With all that expanse it was probably possible to find a spot where your foreground element would encounter a 'return' element to direct the viewer back across the midrange hills. In my opinion, this would have provided a more pleasing flow while viewing the scene.

Horizontal composition is just right, while vertical one makes me uncomfortable while watching.

1st shot for me, Re 2nd shot I would crop out all the sky and crop a lot of the l/h/s of the shot.

Thanks all...

Jon...honestly I could never think that much when taking a photo...wish i could and it would have me taking better photos.....

I really like the first.