Two portraits of a Pirate - which one is better?

[Ginger Pixie]

Just wondered which of these two portraits you prefer, as I have processed them differently. The weather was terrible this day so I had to bounce flash off the canvas they had rigged over the deck.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 20 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -2 EV
Flash: On, Fired

Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 96 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -2 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[scootermcq]

I'm voiting for number 2... I prefer the color and the tight crop. The 3/4 length has a fair amount of detail loss in the dark clothing, which is not an issue with the head shot.

They are both fantastic, but I find number 2 grabs me more.

[mseigafuse]

I agree with Scott, I like #2 better as well. Both are great, but #2 wins by a whisker (pun intended)

[prabbit237]

Definitely #2. More vibrant, more detail, more *oomph* overall.

[Penary]

Photo two is the best portrait, but to me it doesn’t say Pirate, so my vote is for the First Photo, without any explanation it says Pirate.

Larry

[irishmuth]

Another vote for 2.

[irishmuth]

Maybe do the first show with the second treatment.

[Pitrih]

hello
this is my first post on this site.

i like first photo better because it's more piraty, it only needs sea in the background and more light on the pirate.

the number two is nice portrait but feels boring.