I frequently post images on Pixoto.com, a photo site with 'side by side' peer voting on images. Folks that vote on that site get points for each pair of images they judge. You then use these points to be able to post your images. Since most folks I know spend just a second before selecting image a vs image b, I feel this gives relative feedback on impact, but does not take into account many other competition judging criteria such as storytelling, technical excellence, composition, etc. These have some impact, but I'd be willing to be at least 80% of the vote is based on impact.
That said, here are two links. One shot is by my buddy, Joe McBroom and the other shot is by me:
http://www.pixoto.com …ls/birds/4695405915799552
http://www.pixoto.com …ls/birds/5581409602240512
Note that there is a score above each image. In this case Joe's score blew mine out of the water. As I look at the two images, I actually processed my image better (maybe I am bias). Joe's bird head has 'gesture' and also Joe seems to have punch the vibrancy and contrast more than mine.
I believe this is evidence of the importance in competition of gesture and maybe punching up an on line image a tad more than one would normally do if they were printing the image.
Now, you be the judge. I'd love to hear your feedback on the two shots.
