Post Processing Night Time Exposure

Looking for some input on which of these exposure styles look best...thanks in advance:

#1

1: is more sharp because the distinction between dark area an light area is more marked, defined

The foreground element to the left is distracting. I'm not sure is this was the only vantage point you could shoot from. I do like the light trails and think if the image were just the trails with the curve starting in the lower left and into the image, it would be an outstanding image.

I like the first more than the second.

i happen to like #2 better

yeah I like #2 best also... more detail...

I like #1 best. the image is more abstracted and the colours are great

LOL...I knew it! I was afraid I was going to get a half & half response! Both exposures have their worth for different reasons. Still, would like to get a tally on which is more popular...so everybody who wants to, please submit your vote.

GorgeShooter wrote in post #10118816
The foreground element to the left is distracting. I'm not sure is this was the only vantage point you could shoot from. I do like the light trails and think if the image were just the trails with the curve starting in the lower left and into the image, it would be an outstanding image.

Thanks for the advice on this, and I think you make alot of good points...I do have several different angles and perspectives on this subject. I submitted this particular one just to get input on the exposure element.

#1 is the better out of these 2. However, as G. Shooter pointed out if this was recomposed to include the ligth trail as the main subject it would be a much nicer photo.

Nice light trails but that foreground takes some of the beauty away.

#1

I agree with the previous comments about the distracting foreground...so here's one without it. Which is better - exposure wise?

#3

OH yeah the second batch of edits by far.. However, out of the two I must pick the first one. I think the higher contrast of the image gives it a little more interest.

Is that the woodrow wilson bridge?

rcfury wrote in post #10123419
Is that the woodrow wilson bridge?

It is indeed!

My vote is for #3. I like the high contrast of that version. The dark, unseen, areas add mystery to the image and by lightening those areas you remove that mystery.