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8 minutes difference. Which do you prefer? · **2 Likes**

Long exposure is becoming my favorite way to capture light. Below are three images from Larrabee State Park that I took today. All three photos were taken within 8 minutes from each other. The tide was going out, there was little wind to move the clouds and the waves were subdued. Please let me know which image you prefer. I could not decide.

jido · 01-04-2013, 02:59 AM

Originally posted by Venturi

#3 all the way. It just has better compositional balance, in my opinion. The subtle reflections on the water let you enjoy the details under the water. The lower contrast and subdued hues give the scene much more of a serene feel.

By comparison, the first two feel forced. Too much color, too much contrast. Too much "tech" evident in the frame; they LOOK like long exposures.

Agreed.

LeDave · 01-04-2013, 03:01 AM

I also go with number 2.

catastrophe · 01-04-2013, 04:41 AM

Great shots. I like 2 the best because of the streaks of cloud and colors in the sky. 1 is also good but part of the sky is a little overexposed and I find streaks of clouds more pleasing to the eye. But that's all personal preference anyway.

**MSL** · 01-04-2013, 08:09 AM

I prefer #2 the best as it has the richest colors.
That got me thinking that one reason you might be getting a range of answers is that the images might turn out quite different on different screens depending on their default calibration.

tessfully · 01-04-2013, 08:09 AM

Oh wow! What I would do is darken the first ever so slightly, lighten the third ever so slightly and then frame the three of them side by side inside a large landscaped frame with split matting. And then I would hang it on my wall. Gorgeous Series...

mrNewt · 01-04-2013, 08:24 AM

Impossible to choose ... if you look at them one by one, without comparing them, they are all stunning.
Good job and thanks for sharing!

cardinal43 · 01-04-2013, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Kozlok

#1 for the sky, #3 for the sea

Ya beat me to it, but +1 for this selection.

jnguyen · 01-04-2013, 08:36 PM

In summary, there were 18 comments. Photo #2 got 9 votes. Photo #1 received 6 votes. Photo #3 got 3 votes.

Per suggestions of Venturi, Catastrophe and Tessfully, I darkened the sky and uncropped photo #1. I increased the exposure and burned the clouds on photo #3. The favored photo #2 remained the same. Thank you for all your suggestions. Best regards!

Below are the revised photo #1 and #3, respectively.

**WPRESTO** · 01-06-2013, 06:33 AM

I prefer the streaky, almost surreal sky in #2. There's still plenty of visual interest in the sea at the base of the photo.

mikeSF · 01-06-2013, 08:23 AM

#2 because it still has the great sky saturation and a little shadow detail as well in the trees.

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01-04-2013, 08:36 PM	#23
jnguyen Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 446 Original Poster	8 minutes difference. Per your suggestions. In summary, there were 18 comments. Photo #2 got 9 votes. Photo #1 received 6 votes. Photo #3 got 3 votes. Per suggestions of Venturi, Catastrophe and Tessfully, I darkened the sky and uncropped photo #1. I increased the exposure and burned the clouds on photo #3. The favored photo #2 remained the same. Thank you for all your suggestions. Best regards! Below are the revised photo #1 and #3, respectively. Attached Images Last edited by jnguyen; 01-04-2013 at 08:37 PM. Reason: clarification.

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01-04-2013, 02:59 AM	#16
jido Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 127	Originally posted by Venturi #3 all the way. It just has better compositional balance, in my opinion. The subtle reflections on the water let you enjoy the details under the water. The lower contrast and subdued hues give the scene much more of a serene feel. By comparison, the first two feel forced. Too much color, too much contrast. Too much "tech" evident in the frame; they LOOK like long exposures. Agreed.

01-04-2013, 03:01 AM	#17
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	I also go with number 2.

01-04-2013, 04:41 AM	#18
catastrophe Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 232	Great shots. I like 2 the best because of the streaks of cloud and colors in the sky. 1 is also good but part of the sky is a little overexposed and I find streaks of clouds more pleasing to the eye. But that's all personal preference anyway.

01-04-2013, 08:09 AM	#19
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,756	I prefer #2 the best as it has the richest colors. That got me thinking that one reason you might be getting a range of answers is that the images might turn out quite different on different screens depending on their default calibration.

01-04-2013, 08:09 AM	#20
tessfully Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: S. Algonquin, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,860	Oh wow! What I would do is darken the first ever so slightly, lighten the third ever so slightly and then frame the three of them side by side inside a large landscaped frame with split matting. And then I would hang it on my wall. Gorgeous Series...

01-04-2013, 08:24 AM	#21
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Impossible to choose ... if you look at them one by one, without comparing them, they are all stunning. Good job and thanks for sharing!

01-04-2013, 08:58 AM	#22
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Originally posted by Kozlok #1 for the sky, #3 for the sea Ya beat me to it, but +1 for this selection.

01-06-2013, 06:33 AM	#24
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,144	I prefer the streaky, almost surreal sky in #2. There's still plenty of visual interest in the sea at the base of the photo.

01-06-2013, 08:23 AM	#25
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	#2 because it still has the great sky saturation and a little shadow detail as well in the trees.

Landscape 8 minutes difference. Which do you prefer?

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