Please help me pick one of these two shots! :)

LizardKing · May 16, 2012

Hello everybody!

I'm planning a birthday present for my girlfriend, with the idea of cheering her up a little, for reasons I'm not gonna bore you with. Anyway, the idea is to pick one of these photos to print and frame to hang on a wall. I wish I could explain the meaning/concept/idea I'm looking for in the picture, but couldn't find the words in english to properly explain it

... I guess it's kind of a reminder that 'dreams do come true, you just have to fight for them'

I know both of them have flaws and room for improvement, but I cannot go back in time, plus they were taken with my old Nikon P80 so the quality is not as good as I'd want to.
All three of them will need to go through some refreshing PP, but these are straight of the camera... well, the archive from 2 years ago really, but anyway jajaja

So, would you please be so kind to tell me which one you'd pick and why?

Of course this is more of a personal choice, but I'd like to know your input to make a better decision. I have my favourite, but it's hard to choose because I really like them both.

#1

Firenze, Italy by Lizard.King, on Flickr

#2

Orvieto, Italy by Lizard.King, on Flickr

Thank you very very much in advance and have a nice day!

Regards,
LizardKing

Silvermuir · May 16, 2012

I'd choose the first one hands down. Its all about the purpose of the shot, the second is a better landscape shot for obvious reasons however the purpose behind your idea is to cheer her up and remind her life is good so the main focus should be on her. Do you know for a fact that she likes this photo of herself? even though its a nice shot women can be very particular about their photos so i'd be sure before printing it.

She looks happy, the weather is nice and I see a drink on the wall so it looks like it was a fun day.

As you say it need some PP first, I'd suggest cloning out the crane to the right of her head and the red graffiti on the wall at the left of frame..

Hope that helps in some way.

Andy.

LizardKing · May 16, 2012

Yes, I know she likes it... as you say, they can be very 'particular' about these things jajaja... And yes, I was planning on cloning out the crane and the graffiti.
Thanks for the feedback!

Derrel · May 16, 2012

#1...she looks much hotter in that shot than in #2...#1 seems to be mostly about "her", whereas #2 seems to be a landscape with a woman standing in it...hence...#1...without a doubt!

Skyclad · May 16, 2012

I have to agree with Derrel. He described what I feel about each picture when I look at them.

#1 would be "Look at me enjoying this beautiful day in this beautiful city. It's so peaceful here and I couldn't be happier."

#2 would be "Look at this wonderful city and lush landscape. What an amazing and breathtaking view"

cgipson1 · May 16, 2012

#1, for sure! She's cute!

Kazooie · May 16, 2012

#1, where she still has her legs.

shnic · May 16, 2012

I like #1, she looks very happy and content!

Majeed Badizadegan · May 17, 2012

Wow those are really awesome landscapes. Really nicely exposed on both your girlfriend and the landscape below.

LizardKing · May 17, 2012

Thank you for all the responses guys! I really appreciate it

Well, it seems everybody agrees, and that's actually my favourite, too... I was in doubt because I like the landscape in #2 a little better.
Anyway, I'll play a little bit in photoshop and see what I can do to improve it. Maybe I upload a picture of it once it's hanged on the wall!

Have a nice day!

RichardsTPF · May 17, 2012

Like #1. Both images have nice landscape.
A CPL might bring out more saturation SOOC.

LizardKing · May 17, 2012

Yes, I know... I'm really looking forward to get a good set of filters, but for now I'll have to pop-up the colors using photoshop, I guess jaja...

RichardsTPF · May 17, 2012

When I travel, I see some great landscape/cityscape. I want to take a picture of my family or friend for memory. The composition always get me confused. It's hard to get a good view of the background as well as the portrait. You did very well on #1.
Sometimes, puting the potrait at 1/3 left or right of the frame is the only choice. Is there any better ideas?

LizardKing · May 17, 2012

Yes, the same happens to me... Usually, I try to take the picture while they're distracted with something else, as I did with #2 here... That usually works good for me.
Sometimes it's better (in my opinion) to be higher than the subject... so more landscape is included. It also works pretty well to try to combine the lines of the landscape with the lines of the subject, like arms, legs, etc...
And finally, I usually try not to include too much sky in these kind of compositions...

Can't think of anything else right now...