photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

I like 2 the most.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Both very nice

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I'm no expert but I am an artist (of the paint and brush type) and if I were going to paint one of these, it would be the second one. More artistic from my view.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Thanks for your comment. I feel the same way but it is good to have the confirmation of an artist.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I prefer the second photo. In the first the dock does not point directly at the mountain and I feel it missed the subject. In the second one the flowers form an arrow point to the dock which directs one’s eye to the distant shorelines and they focus attention to the mountain.

The second photo is better composed to me. Both interesting though.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

I think both are ok but like the 2nd one a little better because I find the bush at the right corner of the first a little distracting.
I think you did a nice job with focus and exposure and PP.
Both photos just lack some oomph. I would wait unit there is a really dramatic sky or some boats or something. JMO.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

As it happened, I spent a week in that general area and did drive past that spot several times. Unfortunately the sky never got particularly interesting; one day it was solid blue and the rest of the week it was solid clouds. I could try replacing the sky in PS or in Neo, but for now I have other projects ongoing.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...perhaps I should just conclude that composition rules are made to be broken?" pecohen the "leading lines" is a visual construct used to provide the illusion of three dimensional space in a two dimensional image. It's neither rocket science or magic... Airline pilots use leading lines to judge height on final approach... Depth perception from have two eyes is only effective for maybe 15 feet at best. In fact one of the most renown pilots who ever lived "Wiley Post" was totally blind in one eye. He went on to set two around the world flying records! Even today the FAA rules allow those with Monocular Vision to legally fly... It's the visual property of depth perception at play here... Nope it's not a rule, it's reality.

Ok the first image is a major fail because the sky/land border occurs virtually in the center of the image... this is a serious no-no...
The second image is a vast improvement because the sky/land border has moved up much higher.

That said both images lack a significant focal point of interest i.e. subject...
But the Kodachrome colors are to be cherished

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama, don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama, don't take my Kodachrome
Mama, don't take my Kodachrome
Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away
Paul Simon

gener202002

I like the second one because of the angle of the dock. Nothing wrong with a straight dock, but here it seems to lead into the picture in a more serene, or subtle way. I can't explain it, but I think the angled one works better in this particular picture. I like that a little more of the plant is visible as well.

rangerjohn Loc: Houston Texas

I may be alone in this, or mostly alone.

I don’t have a preference really, BUT I would have preferred turning the camera to “portrait” / vertical.
IMO it would enhance the leading lines of the doc. The bush could easily still be visible as well.

Mitch1952 Loc: CA

Wait for the Golden Hour with clouds in the sky. Center the dock keeping its end close to upper level of the thirds. Also, get low to the docks surface so the left and right dock edges fill most of the bottom frame. This should make the deck more triangular leading you eye more to the background.

Mitch1952 Loc: CA

Ranger John is right. Try portrait, it will add strength to your image and help lead your eye do docks end. You also might use a tripod set low to the dock ( height is up to you) f stop closed up and slow shutter speed. This will add a softness to any wave action keeping the deck sharp. The eye migrate to a sharp subject. Have fun experimenting.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind.

marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

Having never looked at this section of UHH before, I find this of interest. In my opinion there are leading lines in both, but other things to consider…in the first the horizon divides the photo almost in half while the sky offers no additional interest. Also in the first the portions of the bush are a little distracting add I would crop a little off the top and remove the bush. In the second one the rule of thirds adds interest…less sky dividing the image into thirds horizontally, the angle of the pier helps and the bush is in a lower third. Yes my eyes come back to the bush but I think it is an attractive addition. My vote is #2. I am a novice, not by years of having a camera, but by active years using it. I am aware of many rules but don’t usually shoot with them in mind, however when analyzing my photos I often prefer the ones where I “accidentally” followed one or more rules…one day I hope rules will become an automatic part of my framing.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I find number two a more interesting image.