To straighten or not

[Stu Bowie]

This young Teal came in at a slight angle across the frame, so when processing, I deciced to straighten the landing, as it 'looked better' When we have good reflections, we normally line up the bill tips or eyes for proper rotation. This image is the staightened one, and the next image is the reflection lined up. Which one do you feel is the 'correct' image? Taken at my local pond last saturday.

Canon 1D Mark IV
100-400 @ 365mm
1/2000
F/7.1
ISO 800

Exp comp + 0.33

[Stu Bowie]

Here is the reflection lined up.

[vishaljadhav]

Stuart,

I love the great splash captured, the action is superb
i like the Straight first version , just feels nice on the eye to me. Interesting crop size and i just love the foot top of the water thats creating most of the splash :S3:

[Doug West]

Too close to call. But if I had to choose, the first one, but only by a hair.

Doug

[christopher galeski]

nice action shot Stuart,like the reflection,and the raised foot,second image for me Stuart.

[Greg Oakley]

Lovely action shot Stuart - I like the first one... and don't mention the rugby:Whoa!:
Cheers, Greg

[PhilCook]

Great shot, nice choice of wide frame...#1 my preference

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

I slightly prefer #2, a little more dynamic because of the slight diagonal, but close.

Cheers

Randy

[Ian Cassell]

I prefer #2. The angle of the splash gives it a more dynamic feel to me.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice pano crop and splashing action. I prefer #2.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

I vote no2. Lovely pano and water splash.

[Barry Ekstrand]

Second image for me.

Barry

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback. I guess one needs to stick to the original of lining up the reflection.

[gail bisson]

Image #2 for me!
Love the panorama crop and the calm water with the great reflection
Gail

[David Salem]

Cool shot Stuart. #1 for me. Even though its not lined up it looks more level to me. TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

The second image does it for me, somehow it appears more natural.

[Shawn Zierman]

Great light and great action. Enjoy and prefer the second image....more spacious comp, and I prefer reflections to line up, particularly quality reflections like this. Excellent image sir.