Which photo?

Curiosity question, feel free to critique each photo, if you'd like.

What I'm really interested in is understanding why one photo is more popular than the other, especially when I don't understand why that's the case. According to Facebook popularity, the first photo is the most popular via more likes and comments. It doesn't make sense to me because I personally prefer the photo where the rider has fully executed the maneuver.

Let me know your thoughts, help me understand my fellow human beings!

Shot 1:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …nicholaszalud/8​551102778/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …nicholaszalud/8​551109848/

#1 has more of a "hang 10" factor....arm up..putting his shoulders into it.

Second one is just surfing.

" It doesn't make sense to me because I personally prefer the photo where the rider has fully executed the maneuver."
Anticipating what he is about to do adds a pleasing tension, the body position adds a dramatic touch. Your shutter caught him at a good moment. If the day was better perhaps it would look less "point and shoot lucky". You should feel encouraged.

Usually for action shot you want to capture 'peak action', that is what most people respond to.

That would be photo #1.

Maybe because you know surfing you can imagine what it took to get to shot #2, but we can't and the spray is just spray.

I personally don't like either of them. They're both very flat and dull looking and the surfer is such a small part of the frame that I find myself looking more at the water than what he's doing on the board.

If I HAD to choose one it would be the first though simply becasue he looks like he's about to eat sh**. Then #2 is like, "Ugh, let down, he's still on the board."

I like one the best.

neither work for me, and the first draws my attention to a region I'd rather not be drawn too...

Most people who don't know anything about the details of surfing see the first photo and see this dramatic pose while the second photo is just a guy standing still on a board, nothing much find on. Doesn't matter what the truth is, the completion of the maneuver or whatever.

My first thought was, "looks like the waves I used to surf on". Then I looked and saw "houston"...yep texas waves : )

-First one.

johnb007 wrote in post #15724388
My first thought was, "looks like the waves I used to surf on". Then I looked and saw "houston"...yep texas waves : )

-First one.

Hahahahaha, yes sir! This was last Sunday in Matagorda. Lots of people in the water and lots of photogs that day!

Thanks for the input, y'all! I really appreciate the different perspectives and I've come around to agreeing with those of you who favor the first shot. This will very much help me when thinking critically about surf photos (and then some!).

tmoore323 wrote in post #15720455
neither work for me, and the first draws my attention to a region I'd rather not be drawn too...

Not that there's anything wrong with that, hahahahahahahahaha.

#1 for me