eurobird Loc: uk

1 for me

Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Since you asked, I would submit #1. It has a very dramatic look and great composition and the colors are good.

GWR100 Loc: England

One

Robert M Loc: Clifton, NJ

#2, Tanaya Lake

jthomas Loc: Lancaster, PA

Hard to pick between them but a slight edge goes to #1 but I would first desaturate the sky colors - too intense and overpowering. Also, is it just me or does the lakeline in #2 lean slightly to the left?

robertjbar

#2. I love the foreground elements.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

#2

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I'm doing one massive reply to everyone again.......Thanks everyone for your input on these two photos. Every one of you had comments that I have been digesting. Your comments have been helpful in my decision and your suggestions all have merit.
For image #1 I purposely cropped it the way I did. I think the rule of thirds works best in this one and that is why there is so much sky showing. I tried cropping it other ways but always came back to this one. I felt it was more dramatic this way.
In Photo #2 I goofed up and had a black line on the left edge that I overlooked......also as several of you have mentioned, my horizon line is off, so I fixed that. The rock out in the lake is distracting and now it is cloned out.
My preference is to submit a print of #1 for the contest. I know several of you have mentioned that it is over processed. I can see why you say that and understand where you are coming from. Personally, I hate overcooked HDR images which I would put in the same category. I did have #1 printed up and now it is framed and ready for the contest.
I don't have any horizontal images of these two photos, sorry.
I'm attaching the revised image of #2 with those three changes.
Thanks so very much for all of your thoughts and comments. I respect each of your opinions very much.

(Download)

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Brent they both have a lot going for them, If it been me I probably would chose #1. Wish you the BEST, let me know how it comes out, you can PM if wish. Bob

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Bob, I did choose #1. September 16th I will know the outcome of this contest.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thanks Brent

I STOP TO SHOOT Loc: By the No. CA Sea

Brent: I like #1 because it shows the total scenery, sky is very dramatic cannot decide if it is too much I really like them both but I think #1 more because it shows lots of the surrounding area... That is at a first glance....

fredtoo Loc: Houston

looks like we are not helping you much, Brent. But here is my 2 cents. Yes, they are both beautiful, but #1 is by far the more unique of the two. Its hard to know about photo contests...one set of judges will give entirely different results than another. But to stand out in the crowd always seems a good approach to me.

Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

This is my feeling about #1 I feel it makes the mountain the subject not the clouds. Paul