Help me decide

At last Nature does my bidding. This morning, these four water lilies arranged themselves for a group portrait.

I can't decide which one I like. One fulfills my inclination to get down to the subject's level. But the higher angle shows more of the colorful interiors.

They're both at f/5.6 on a 100mm f/2.8 macro and 40D. I also shot some at f/11. More of the flowers are in focus, but also more of the background and foreground.

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IMHO I like the first one.

1st for sure.

The first one has the water glimmer and it adds so much to the photo. #1 for me, for sure. Also, Im thinking the whole thing might be a tad devoid of color and/or a bit underexposed. Maybe a small kick in the saturation dept might do the trick to make it pop more. Just my opinion. Nice shots, nonetheless.

+1 for the first. The angle on the second just doesn't seem right.

first one because of the water!!

Took the liberty of tweaking it a bit. Hope you dont mind. This edit has +.57 exposure and +67 saturation adjustment.

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#1 for me too.

Depends on what you'd like the focus of the picture to be.

If you like water lilies isolated from context, #2 works. Angle on this one may not seem right because we are conditioned to seeing the water lilies from up above (usually from higher banks or a bridge). This one brings fresh perspective and an element of unexpectedness.

If you prefer the blossoms integrated into their environment, then #1.

#2 for me, there is not enough of the innards of the lily to keep me looking, the last gives me the outline of the petals, and the sky reflection isn't competing for my attention. I grow lilies( not a thing this year)

Interesting approach, Scott.

Thanks, everybody else, for the comments.

I love #1 but think the tweaked shot is a bit too far, taking away the "cool quiet morning" feel. Somewhere in between the original and tweaked version may be perfect.

1st one with the water is better in my opinion.

Flo wrote in post #10499704
#2 for me, there is not enough of the innards of the lily to keep me looking, the last gives me the outline of the petals, and the sky reflection isn't competing for my attention. I grow lilies( not a thing this year)

+1. Though, I'd probably try to burn the background just a little. The rock and brush are a tiny bit distracting.

# 1 for me also