Pyrrhuloxia- Take Off 2

[Steve Bein]

I posted takeoff 3- Van Gogh version. Now here are versions from 1/10 second earlier. The head was still sharp in the original image. I can't decide which I like better, so I am posting both versions for comments.
Thanks

[Steve Bein]

This is the second version. Which do you vote for?

[Richard Lovison]

Steve,

I prefer the first with the softer light. I love the pose, the effects used as well as the composition though if it were mine, I might crop a bit from the top. Well done.

Richard

[Brendan Dozier]

I prefer the first version, Steve, I like the softer BG. Beautiful pose, and nice processing. In the second version, the BG seems to distract from the subject too much.

[Nancy Bell]

I also prefer the first version with the softer background. And agree with Richard about taking a bit off the top.

[denise ippolito]

Another vote for the first on and a slice off the top. Nice capture Steve and the processing looks great!

[Indranil Sircar]

I too prefer the first one. Nice processing.

[Anita Bower]

I prefer the first version. Just lovely! I like the pose and the branches at the bottom. The second one is too distracting for my tastes. Lovely work.

[Kerry Perkins]

I'll make it unanimous (so far!) and vote for the first one also. Great colors and filter application and I love the takeoff pose. The smoother background and more subdued effect on the bird work well for me in the first image.