Boosted Contrast or No? Which one is better

Based on what I've read over the years on this forum, it seems many members love to boost contrast to get a bit of added separation for their subject. Well I can't pick which one of these two I like better so I'll let you decide for me. Who likes the boosted contrast (pic 1) and who likes less (pic 2)?

Ok after posting the two pictures up here, they look almost identical, so, sorry for that. While the difference isn't extremely significant on my computer, it is noticeable. These two look almost like the same pic to me in the forum though.

The first one is a little better, but you are right, they are not different enough to even ask that question.

Edit that, after viewing the images on my better monitor my preference is mixed. The dress looks better in the first one, but the skin and facial area of the bride looks better in the second one.

I can't tell the difference. Having them side by side so you can compare in the same screen would make it easier.

Hard to tell a difference but both images look too red/magenta on my screen-- the dress has a noticeable magenta cast to it and the the skin tones are very magenta as well. Otherwise a nice shot I'd say but check the color.

I like the 2nd. The skin tone is less red.

DanFrank wrote in post #18014424
I like the 2nd. The skin tone is less red.

Agreed. And the tonal quality of her face is better in the second. Little too contrasty in the first.

Little percievable difference.

I'd sooner be working on reducing the highlight areas of the flash on the gate and gate post.

thanks for the responses thus far. yes i do need to work on those highlights in the bg, thank you. and to those saying it's too red: it does look slightly over-red / magenta on my 2nd (uncalibrated monitor), but on my primary monitor i use for editing it looks just fine.

They do look very similar but the first one seems to have more contrast which certainly improves the image.