HELP- which photo should I use

[Snakeguy101]

I am entering a contest and need help choosing which photo to enter. It will be judged by both pro photographers and the public so I would like your opinions as both. Thanks for your help!

 

[sm4him]

Is there any particular theme to the contest? They're both pretty cool shots, but I guess I'm leaning towards the first--you've got the whole turtle in the frame and I like the interaction between it and the fish. I love the lighting and colors in the second, though.
Yeah...I'm no help.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Nice.. I say #1 with further edit.

 

[TimothyJinx]

Wow, I wish you had the whole turtle in #2 - I love the color and the reflection on the top of the water.

#1 seems a little flat to me - especially compared to #2. But otherwise a good picture.

 

[Snakeguy101]

Thanks for your input. The theme is reptiles. I have plenty of aggressive snake photos but I wanted to go with a cute sea turtle instead because I feel like people will be more likely to vote for that than something they are afraid of.

Robin- how would you edit the first one?

Since you guys are leaning towards the one with the whole turtle in it I do have another but it was not my one of my first choices. Maybe I was wrong though. Is this one any better?

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Maybe like this? Low res jpeg edit.

 

[Tiller]

The public will like #2 better. Since it's being partly judged by them, I would go with that.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

I would have gone with #2 if a little of the lens is above water and you can see the nose sticking out of the water. Seeing the whole turtle would be nice otherwise. Kinda like this:
http://www.clarklittlephotography.com/gallery/detail/341.html