Soft or Sharp

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I prefer images a little on the soft side. Here is one with two variations. Which one do you think works better?
40D
1/500s
AWB
+2/3EV
200 ISO
100-400 @400
AV mode
Tripod
Cropped a little from the original
Taken on an overcast day

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Or the sharpened version?

[denise ippolito]

Jackie, the only difference I'm seeing is a slight light in eye on second post, however I am on my lap-top due to PC problems! But your gull looks very nice and so does the comp. and colors

[Gus Cobos]

Lady Jackie,
The second one is dead on...I like it. Great eye contact and head angle, with a low capture angle...the details are sharp and the color rendition is superb...the blue water sets the mellow tone of a lazy afternoon swim...very well done...congrats...:cool:

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Another vote for the second. Eye is a lot better.
Regards,

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Jackie,

You have a beautiful pair of photos. The soft photo has a little bit more elegance when displaying on the web, and the sharper one will print better. On Lustre paper would probably appear much like your soft version. I really think that the best one in a person's eye is a matter of personal taste.

One thing I would ido if they were mine is to add a very tiny glint in the eye in both versions. You did a great job, and both are very pleasing to the beholder.

Thanks for sharing

Uncle Gus

[Lance Peters]

Hi Jackie - 2nd one for me - expsoure looks good - have you been practising :)

[Nonda Surratt]

Jackie,

Really nice image all around..I'm also for the second one.

[Alfred Forns]

Need to go for the Second Jackie Remember you can present soft looking images if they are sharp in the right place. For birds you can just sharpen the eye area and leave the rest alone !!!

[Julie Kenward]

Al's right! It's okay to go for dreamy and soft but you have to have something for the viewer to focus on and the eye is the best place to add that touch of sharpness. Another idea would be to sharpen the entire bird and leave all the surroundings soft. Well done photo, Jackie!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Hi Jackie - 2nd one for me - expsoure looks good - have you been practising :)

Yes Lance, I have been working very hard on exposure, and editing. Thanks everyone for your nice comments. As always it is appreciated! Also great tips about having some part of the image sharp to use as an anchor. Never would have known that one.