Which focus - tree or statue?

[danny_boy]

I took these 2 near-identical photos on the weekend, one focusing on statue & one focusing on tree. Which one looks better (I prefer focus on statue but keen for other opinions)?

[RichardTaylor]

For me it is also the statue that is in focus.

[scootermcq]

+1 on statue

[RLucas]

I like the tree being in focus. It looks like the statue is dreaming about the tree. Sounds corny, but that is the best analogy I could come up with.

[LeeR]

The problem here is that you have great light on the tree but the statue is in shadow. Even when it is slightly out of focus we can make out nearly every leaf on the tree while the features of statue recede even when in sharp focus. If you want the statue to play a starring role then she is going to need better light.

[danny_boy]

Originally Posted by LeeR

The problem here is that you have great light on the tree but the statue is in shadow. Even when it is slightly out of focus we can make out nearly every leaf on the tree while the features of statue recede even when in sharp focus. If you want the statue to play a starring role then she is going to need better light.

Thanks for the advice. I thought I may have needed more light on the statue. Should I have used the flash?

[wulf]

I don't think the statue works as a blurred foreground element; it takes up too much of the frame and attracts they eye. However, as noted the other variation stuggles as well. I think it not so much that the statue is underexposed (although a bit of additional light - low power and / or diffused flash - would help) as that the tree is so bright and vivid.

Did you take any other views of the statue?

Wulf

[sunilchand]

I think it is distracting to have the foreground element blurred - this is the first thing that your eye sees and it does not feel right to look at a blurred image. So my suggestion would be the second one.
Alternatively, you could try a higher DOF and have both in focus? just my 2 cents...

[jcaruso415]

Originally Posted by danny_boy

I took these 2 near-identical photos on the weekend, one focusing on statue & one focusing on tree. Which one looks better (I prefer focus on statue but keen for other opinions)?

i think it all depends on which you want to have the emphasis on. personally, the pic w/ the tree in focus and the statue blurry, which a great idea, is not the best composition.

if you're trying to showcase the true beauty of nature, and how it's superior to anything man can create (the statue), then i would suggest moving the stature more out of frame and possibly to the left, keeping it out of focus so that it's as if the statue is leaving after being told "that tree is more beautiful than you are"

now, the picture where the stature IS in focal range, i think the stature might command more attention if it were turned more so that you could maybe see the other shoulder, the curvature of the breast, and possibly some of the lower abdomen. however, there also needs to be more contrast between the statue and the tree. even though the tree is out of focus, it commands more attention simply because of the striking color (goldenrod tends to do that).

[danny_boy]

Thanks for all the suggestions people. Much appreciated