Four Images - Three Analysis Questions: I am a novice student of photography, who is painfully aware that there is plenty of room for improvement in these four images, in fact I've...

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

I am a novice student of photography, who is painfully aware that there is plenty of room for improvement in these four images, in fact I've already been thinking about how I will approach this scene differently next winter, starting with off-camera flash! Meanwhile though, a friend is asking for a 16-20 enlargement of any one of these.
Questions:
1. Which one shall it be? Or, to put it in photo lingo, composition-wise, which one of these images is most pleasing?
2. Are these images too dark to salvage for enlargements?
3. How can they be improved in post-processing? (I use Aperture 3)

Gear: Panasonic Micro 4/3 G10 with 14-140mm lens.

In advance, thank you for your time and expertise!

Ice Caps

Ice Caps 2

Ice Caps 3

Shorecicle

DRON Loc: CHICAGO

I like ice caps3 the best. The higher contrast gives depth to the whole photo, and interest to the sky. My eyes seem to be magnetically attracted to the center of the photo. It would make a beautiful 18x12 enlargement.
The trees in ice cap are distracting.
Ice caps2 looks flat and overexposed.
Shorecircle does nothing for me.

lilac

kerfree wrote:

I am a novice student of photography, who is painf... (show quote)

Definately #4.

Mulachabu Loc: Sydney Australia

Asking questions like this can result in great confusion, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer #1 and then #4. It might be best to ask the person that will be the recipient?

Victoria1233 Loc: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

I like #4 but needs some more mid tone contrast.

Don't like the bright aqua colour of the first three, but I'm with Mulachabu. Ask the receiver which one they like.

oldmalky Loc: West Midlands,England.

Im no expert but this is how i saw these pics.
pic 1 loved the face i could see in the sky.
pic 2 just liked it better than 1
pic 3 definately thought it had best sky
pic 4 this wasnt fair as i was all geared up for another ice cap.
But my favorite was definately number 3.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

DRON wrote:

I like ice caps3 the best. The higher contrast gives depth to the whole photo, and interest to the sky. My eyes seem to be magnetically attracted to the center of the photo. It would make a beautiful 18x12 enlargement.
The trees in ice cap are distracting.
Ice caps2 looks flat and overexposed.
Shorecircle does nothing for me.

DRON, I so appreciate your opinion - I may go with Ice Caps 3. My editing skills are a work in progress and these were all a little dark, so for pixels sake an 18 x 12 is probably the right size. Thank you!

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

lilac wrote:

quote=kerfree I am a novice student of photograph... (show quote)

Thanks lilac, for taking the time to look and help me see these through the eyes of other artists. The composition of 4 is my favorite, just not sure it has the drama to be on a wall.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Mulachabu wrote:

Asking questions like this can result in great confusion, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer #1 and then #4. It might be best to ask the person that will be the recipient?

I do agree - though I learn a lot by being able to look through the eyes of another. You are not confusing me anymore than I already was :) ! I did ask the intended gift recipient which one - but she says any one! So thank you Mulachabu for taking time to share your insights!

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

Ice Caps 3 is the best I think. Leave it as it is - darn good photo.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Victoria1233 wrote:

I like #4 but needs some more mid tone contrast.

Don't like the bright aqua colour of the first three, but I'm with Mulachabu. Ask the receiver which one they like.

Hi Victoria1233, I checked out your website - absolutely gorgeous, delightful images!
May I ask you how do you add more midtone contrast?
I agree with your comment on the color of the first three images, that is just why I am feeling uncertain about them. Maybe I'll have another go at editing them. Thank you for your expert input.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

oldmalky wrote:

Im no expert but this is how i saw these pics.
pic 1 loved the face i could see in the sky.
pic 2 just liked it better than 1
pic 3 definately thought it had best sky
pic 4 this wasnt fair as i was all geared up for another ice cap.
But my favorite was definately number 3.

Thank you oldmalky :)

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

prestonphoto wrote:

Ice Caps 3 is the best I think. Leave it as it is - darn good photo.

Thanks prestonphoto! Getting up the courage to post these was worth it just to discover your website. You have taken you hobby to beautiful heights. Your images with the inspirational quotes are wonderful.

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

Thank you kerfree. I really like all 3 of your ice caps (shows a lot of talent there) but as I said, I liked #3 the best. I think that would look great in a darkened - low lit - room with a soft light shinning directly on it.

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

And...........I just checked your website out. You have some really fantastic photos there. Ever tried selling them on Etsy?