Which do you prefer and why? If you don't like either, please explain

Personally, I like #2. It has better definition between the sky and the mountains in the background and it seems more dramatic IMO. I think it's more than just the higher contrast sky involved, but I can't identify it. Maybe the fisheye perspective holds it back though. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Regards,

-Mark

#1


#2

[roentarre]

2nd shot is preferred to the 1st shot as I like punchy and constrastier images. Especially in black and whilte shots, I like granniess in the photos mainly it is more likely to provoke certain mood.

[vizjerei]

I like the 2nd also, I love the sky bring the different tone to the whole picture

[Ole]

I agree with roentarre, #2 it is. Also because the tank point into the picture frame, not out of it.

[Marc Langille]

#2 is my vote. As James indicated, all of those qualities make it the better image. It's a great shot!!

BTW, is it me or is image #1 is tilted...??? If so, that's generally a no-no for landscapes showing in the background.

Cheers,
Marc

[betsypdx]

I like number 2 - though I want to take one more step to the left to get a little more of that little fluffy cloud that's half cut off by the tank. I find the foreground and tilt in number 1 distracting, and like the higher contrast of number 2 better as well.

[SWEngineer]

Seems everyone prefers the contrast in #2. I've tried #1 with more contrast in the sky and it does help, except the dark sky starts to merge with the mountains. Even so, I'll have to follow through on it AND straighten the horizon. Not sure how I overlooked it being that far off.

roentarre - Not much grain in these (IMO). But worth trying out. Thanks for the idea.

vijerei -I'm glad you like the sky in #2. I fear some might find it overdone, but I like it too!

Ole - I hadn't thought about the tank in #1 pointing out of the frame. Maybe that's part of the "drama" in #2 (pointing in / keeping your eyes in). Great observation.

Marc - Thanks for the accolades and being the 1st to point out the tilted horizon in #1. I'm not too picky about 'rules', but it does seem out of place here.

Betsy - I think I'd have lost the nice mountains or the positioning of the hose on the ground if I'd stepped left. I guess this is a matter of missing the decisive moment as the cloud rolled past. I assume the dark staircase is the objectionable foreground element in #1. I agree it isn't adding much, but hard to keep out the pic except to get closer & use a shorter lens as in #2.

Thanks to the folks above. Anyone else have an opinion? I'd love to hear from you.

-Mark

[jshurak]

They're both great! Number 2 is indeed very striking. It displays a feeling of a surreal and windswept sky. I love it.

[Stewart Minnis]

No 2 does it for me also- not only the darker sky but also the steps not being in front to distract your eye .

[Arpe]

I prefer the compo of no.2, but I just can't like that sky, it just looks so wrong to me, way too dark between the clouds, too unnatural. But that's just me, of course. I tend to not like unnatural photos that are obviously modified. I admire the skill involved in making those images, just don't like them.

[SWEngineer]

jshurak - the clouds are great, aren't they. They were a big part of my interest in taking the shot. The rest of the scene just came along for the ride.

Stewart - thanks for chiming in. Any ideas what to do with the steps? At least they are dark.

Arpe - good to hear an opposite point of view on the dark sky. Is sky #1 ok for your taste? I may argue with you some on "unnatural... obviously modified". Yes, mine's photoshopped, but a deep red filter with B&W film and darkroom skill would come close to this, I bet. But I respect & value your opinion, regardless.

Thanks again, all. Hope you enjoyed the photos and discussion.

-Mark

[Eaglerapids]

These photographs are amazing to me in a way that I have a hard time putting into words. At first I liked no 2 better but now no 1 is my favorite. Maybe it's the scale, the tank looks huge in no 1.
But what I really like in both is the sharpness, man, everything is sharp and the clarity.....
You've taken a couple of pictures of a gasoline tank sitting in a bucket and I can't stop looking at them. SW, I'm not trying to be facetious here at all. These are some of the most unique photos I've seen in a long time, wow.

[SWEngineer]

Eaglerapids - wow. you are too kind. And you have a good point about the tank appearing larger in #1. Now it does so even more:

After mulling over everyones input and tempering to my own taste, I've revised #1 to get the version below. I think it's a big improvement in many ways. I still like #2 better, but the new #1 now better complements it IMO. I really appreciate the input folks. Thanks again.

-Mark

[Eaglerapids]

Perfect SW, great photo:-).

[Petthefish]

I love #2 The clouds just pop rp