Which One Is Better?

[Aidan Briggs]

A Brown Pelican in breeding plumage from a local park. I like both of these images for different reasons. I know which one I like better, but was wondering what everyone else thought.

50D, 100-400 at 400
1/500, f/14, ISO 400
Handheld, almost full frame

[Aidan Briggs]

Here is the other one. Taken with the same settings.

[Grace Scalzo]

Don't make me choose! Both are terrific. If you twisted my arm, I'd choose the first for it's graphic nature and the intense stare, I find myself staring back. :)

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks for the comment Grace :) I forgot to mention that I added a very subtle vignette to the first image.

[Myer Bornstein]

I choose # 2 I like the look and the color

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the colors in the 2nd better. My choice is #1 though. I like how the lines lead you up to that incredible stare.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Aidan, I like the what the red brings to the second image however, I love the stare of the first. So if I have to pick one of them I choose the first image. Not only is the stare captivating I find the presentation to be a little different from what I normally see. Also I find the sharpness and exposure looks good in both images. Thanks for sharing.

[Jeff Parker]

I like the 2nd image better. Personal taste.

[david cramer]

Prefer the first for its emotional intensity.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Number 1 for the intense stare, and the emotional connection with the viewer IMHO.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everyone for the comments. It looks like the first image is beating out the second one right now.

[Mark Young]

Love the intense staredown of the first image over the second one.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

For me both images look great. I will pick the number one but would suggest to tone down the light parts of the beak.

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks for stopping by Mark, and Juan. Juan I have already toned down the beak in both images, but I agree with you that the bright parts on the second one could be toned down a little more, although I like the first one as is.

[Jim Fenton]

First one hands down as it had direct contact and emotion with the head angle and the expression in the eyes.

[Sid Garige]

For me No1. No contest.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

No.1 hands down. Comp is awesome with all those lines. should I even say 'great eye contact' ?

[Markus Jais]

Both shots are great. I like the 1st one better. The intensive look is just amazing there.

Markus

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks everyone. While I love the reds, and the definition of the eye in the second image, I agree with most of you that the first image is better. It is much more unique IMO, and while I have seen lots of pelican shots out there, I haven't seen many like this. While I really like the second one it seems more of a "standard" pelican shot. You all helped add weight to my decision :)

[Bert De Tilly]

WOW! Aidran the first is beautiful for its emotional intensity, light and colors I like the symmetrically on both side. Fantastic.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Aidan, I havent read any of the above comments before posting this. I like the first one due to the symmetry, and it seems sharper than your second one. If I went with your second one, for the angle, I would want to see the whole bill.

[Dave Leroy]

Hi Aidan,
Two very well done images.
For me, the first one conviews a sense of challenge or dare me type of look and is quite intense.
The second is more of a tease or mischievious look and has a softer feel. If the sky is cropped out of this one the feeling changes a lot.
If I had to pick one or the other to hang on my wall, I would take the softer look of the second. I also like the additional colours in the second.
Both are very well done and good for you to get so nice and close.
Dave

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks for the input, Bert, Stuart, and Dave. It is much appreciated.

[Kiran Poonacha]

my vote for the first one Bhai.. loved the intense look..