Which of these shots are 'the best' Lilly. C&C Welcome

CMfromIL · Jul 9, 2012

I took these shots from the edge of my koi pond. I got two that I thought were the best, and now am unsure of 'the best'.
Should it be the one with ripples, or the still water?
Here are your choices:
1.

2.

JoshuaSimPhotography · Jul 9, 2012

I quite like the one with calm water, it's a koi pond, and they usually represent peacefulness. So you want to look calm, it's all about the story you're trying to tell

jowensphoto · Jul 9, 2012

I do prefer the ripples, always nice to capture a bit of movement, or at least insinuate it.

I'm curious to know the EXIF on these.

CMfromIL · Jul 9, 2012

File Name: LillyRipple.jpg (Edit)

File Size: 234 kb - 1024 x 713
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Date/Time: 2012:07:07 13:46:02
Resolution: 1024 x 713
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 135.0mm (35mm equivalent: -21...
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/10.0
ISO Equiv.: 1600
Whitebalance: Manual
Metering Mode: pattern
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

Could have changed the ISO to 400, but I was just in the middle of trying to shoot dragonflies in flight. I didn't mess with the settings as they would occasionally buzz around and then I would shoot them. I think I even had it on TV mode for this shot.

Joel_W · Jul 9, 2012

I prefer picture #2. The stillness of the water compliments the reflection line, allowing the transition to just flow from one to the other.

dylanstraub · Jul 10, 2012

Tough call here. I like the background in 1 but the flower in 2 has a nice grainy kind of thing going on.

jhightowe321 · Jul 10, 2012

2. The water is more appealing to me.

Emmy7 · Jul 10, 2012

I like 2 because the still water appeals to me. Plus, it looks like one of those koi ponds so the water should basically be still. Great shots!

greybeard · Jul 11, 2012

I like them both

Jaemie · Jul 11, 2012

CMfromIL said:
ISO Equiv.: 1600

Could have changed the ISO to 400, but I was just in the middle of trying to shoot dragonflies in flight. I didn't mess with the settings as they would occasionally buzz around and then I would shoot them. I think I even had it on TV mode for this shot.

Well, it's one or the other and I think you lost out to the dragonflies. ISO 1600 isn't helping this image. I would have dropped to 100-200 and adjusted exposure.

Which is "better"? #1. As everyone else says, the ripples are the big difference. Without that structure, #2 just floats in space.