Which one works? (If either)

[Tazzie]

I love these two pics, the crab is about 18mm in size and was moving across an anenome swaying in the current.

Which one is the better picture and why?

What should i have done differently?

[triplefin]

there is more texture in the first pic but the crab himsef is not quite so well focussed as in the second pic - just my opinion tho

[Tazzie]

Thanks Jane Yes I think maybe the DOF was too small in the first. Mind you it's pretty similar in the second but not as noticeable?

[simonmort]

Both are very nice shots.

I think i would agree with jane, more going on around the first crab, than the second.More range of colour.

Have you tried spinning the shots around 90degrees clockwise, and having a look again.

Its funny how different shots look when rotated and veiwed again.

simon.

[KenByrne]

I agree with the consensus so far, the first shot is a more interesting shot. I like the fact that you can see the tentacles on the anemone and the out of focus background works better than the flat background on the second shot.

[Cussy]

Tazzie,
I'm in two minds over this. I sort of agree with the comments above, but at the same time I also think that if you up the contrast on the second one it would also be a damn fine image. The "quieter" background might be a benefit to show off the crab.

Simon has a point. At the first EMUP meeting Tony White said that virtually all images can work at two different orientations, try all 4, and not to get used to displaying images how they were taken. I think a rotation 90 degrees clockwise will work for both images.
HTH
Rob

[Tazzie]

Thanks very much all for the ideas and comments, most appreciated.

The more I look at these two now the less I like them!! I'll try rotating them tonight (they're on a diffferent pooter)

[Cussy]

Tazzie,
I've just spotted something else about them. Although the crab is in almost an identical pose, it looks more of a diagonal in the second one - diagonals are good.
Rob

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Tazzie,
I've just spotted something else about them. Although the crab is in almost an identical pose, it looks more of a diagonal in the second one - diagonals are good.
Rob

It's the only rule I know and stick too

[Jules]

I prefer the second because it's less cluttered.