Greater yellowlegs and frog #2

[gail bisson]

Would really like your opinion as to which of the 2 you prefer and why ( check out the repost in image #1 as I sharpened it more).
I think this one is sharper overall but frog position not as good.
Same techs- SS 1/2000, f 6.3 ISO 800, manual, crop ~ 25%
Cloned out the mud pile and burned the brighter reeds on left side. Did 2 rounds of noise reduction.
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

[dankearl]

The NR worked well, the Duo pops nicely from the BG.
I like the frog better in this one and overall, much prefer this one for the IQ.

[Jeff Dyck]

Gail - I like the first image better. All else being equal, I like the bird's pose and like how the frog is clearly identifiable and separated from the background in the first image. The head looks a little softer in this second version also.

[Marina Scarr]

I am going to have to go with this one b/c of the water spray which depicts more action...more of a struggle. I love the colors in these images. I would leave the mud mound in the image.

[Randy Stout]

Gail:

Well, I like the first one better, close though. The frog displays much better on the first one, even though you do have more implied action in the second from the water spray.

It is always a challenge to sharpen a bird with a wet head, in both of the heads look a bit soft because of this.

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Sorry, Gail. I cannot pick a favorite. I like both. If you have any that follow, presenting them as a series somewhere would be fantastic. (Web site?) I didn't mind the mud mound that was in the first one. Really a super opportunity that you capitalized so well on.

[Jack Breakfast]

I like this one very much. Give me a busy and accurate background over a clean and nondescript one any day of my week! I like both of the images, with the slight nod going to this one b/c of the goodness of the frog

[John Ippolito]

Gail, I love this one, but the first one is even better IMO, with the even more clearly recognizable frog.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, very very close, but you asked for a choice, so Im going with the first one mainly due to the visibility and pose of the frog. The splash in this one does depict a slightly different story ( struggle ) and thus brings it a close second. Once again, love the colours and your low angle. Great series so far.

[christopher galeski]

like the first post,but like this because of the water drops,and the frog still looks doomed.well done.

[PhilCook]

Yep, as good as the other, both have equal merit, but to me what makes this extra special is the obvious water spray, beautiful shot Gail.

[Frank Schauf]

A great dynamic situation, congratulations.

[Melissa Groo]

This is excellent, Gail. The water droplets, the IQ, the comp, the frog view, all topnotch. I prefer this one.