Which One?

RyanS

Okay, I freakin' hate these questions. If you have to ask "which one?" the answer is usually "neither". Well, I need one of these takes as a required shot, even if they do suck. I've only got one image to work with, gathered in an extremely difficult to get to spot. I won't be getting another chance, ever. This is it. The only difference is crop. More crowd, less crowd. Which one is "least sucky?"

What is needed: The image needs to be about the presenter, placed in the context in front of a crowd.

More Crowd:


Less Crowd:


Full image, if someone wants to crop it in a different way, feel free to post it:

Gary752

I would try cropping it in a verticle format to where the presenter is in the left 1/3 area, since he is looking to the right.

GaryB

jiro

I would go with the big crowd. Your crop is good. You positioned the presenter well enough to align him using the golden spiral. I think what hurt the image was the blurred object at the lower left and the very bright stair steps at the upper left that attracts a lot of attention.

I did not change the crop on my edit, Ryan of your image but corrected some of the things I mentioned and added a very slight vignette so the area of the presenter is "brighter" than the rest of the crowd. here's a simple edit. Feel free to ask to take it down if I have offended you in any way.

RyanS

Not at all concerned if people want to play with images. It doesn't offend, it is actually an honor. I wish more would do it. Yes, I agree that cloning out the big blob makes it slightly stronger. Unfortunately image modification isn't gonna fly in the context of a journalistic shot. Though I do think you've inspired me to kick up the sharpness by a large margin. Perhaps not quite as far as you've gone, but further than only minor sharpening. Thanks for the inspiration.

Gary, will try a vertical crop when I can. Feel free to post what you mean visually, if you would like.

williaes

This was my take on the crop. Not much different than the one you did. The bird just fades into the crowd is the problem. Is there a way you can maintain the integrity but highlight the bird better?

RyanS

Okay, I've considered everyone's great suggestions, tried them all to some degree, and then worked within the constraints I have. Here is what I came up with. It isn't great, but I think it is a good fit given the scenario. With the vertical crop, I lost way too many expressions. The little life the image had was sucked out of it. It lives in the audience reaction. Sharpness played a key role, as well as a re-think through the exposure. Thank you for those ideas, everyone.