Mesa Arch - Canyonlands NP - which shot do you like best?

Did a fantastic photo tour to Utah last month and came back with a lot of great shots. I'm planning on getting some done in large canvas or metal prints and wanted to see which of these 2 shots you liked best, and why. I like both and it's been hard to pick. Both of these are of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, NP. 5D MKIII, 16-35 f/2.8L at 16mm, f/16.

So, #1, or #2?

I don't much like either because there's sky showing above the arch, and the sky is very distracting for me. Because there's more sky in #1, I dislike #1 more. I believe that in shots like these, the view thru the arch is the subject. The arch and floor frame that view.

I would have turned that 16-35 up to about 20 to take those shots. But they're YOUR pics, not mine.

Thanks Jeffrey - I realize my shots are nothing that hasn't been done 1000 times before, but nevertheless, they are shots I have wanted to do and make my own. I obviously like the sky and actually wish I was back further from the arch in #1 so I could get more and the ends of the arches. I like #2 because of the perspective but the sun was a bit too high in the sky at that point which is the detractor for me.

I like #1 for the canvas shot. As far the sky goes, remember that when you do canvas that at least 1/2" or more will be used to wrap around the sides of the canvas. So in this case a good portion of the sky will not be visible from the front. (could be a good thing or bad thing, depends on you).

I like the first one a lot better. However, I'm going to make a suggestion...

Wait a little bit before you put anything on your wall. Sometimes, the honeymoon phase of a new picture quickly fades and you find more and more reasons not to like the photo.

In part I agree with Jeff. I don't particularly like the sky above the arch. But, overall I like #1 best because of the foreground treatment. How about cropping off the sky and making it more of a pano?

Tough choice! I like the POV of #1, but I like the composition with the strong diagonal line in #2.

I'll go with composition, and vote for #2.

Everyone's points are valid and is why I like things about both shots. I may just get both done.... LOL! Keep any and all comments coming though. Appreciate everyone who voiced an opinion!

The first one. love the sunstar of the 16-35--nothing else compares. If you like them both, get them both done.

#1 for me. A very slight crop from the top would make it better, I feel. But the contrast and sun have come out beautifully in it.

I agree with asty80 on number 1. What dates were you there. I spent a week at Moab between the 20th and the 27th. It took me 4 mornings to get a sunrise shot at Mesa arch, the other 3 were overcast and/or snowing over the La Sal mountains.

Sure was cold and windy!

Eastcoast wrote in post #15918350
I agree with asty80 on number 1. What dates were you there. I spent a week at Moab between the 20th and the 27th. It took me 4 mornings to get a sunrise shot at Mesa arch, the other 3 were overcast and/or snowing over the La Sal mountains.

Sure was cold and windy!

April 3 through the 9th. It was pretty warm until the last 2 days and that winter storm rolled through. There were a good 25 photographers there the morning I got this shot. Crazy. Lol

I like #1 and agree with others that it may have been a tad better with the top part cropped a bit.

jeffreybehr wrote in post #15915202
I don't much like either because there's sky showing above the arch, and the sky is very distracting for me.

If you leave out the top sky it's a shot from a cave, not an arch.

I prefer #1 for composition.