2 examples, help needed

[Marija]

I haven't been here, on dps, for a very long time... it's good to be back, to dps and learning about photography
i wanted to capture my baby's hand in this particular time of her life. because her hand is still when she sleeps it is possible for me to try numerous time to get it right.
here are two photos that i composed differently. main problem is (i know this will sound kind of silly but...) i don't know which one is better? are they any good? (composition vise) I'm simply lost regarding composition...(and maybe photography in general )
I would like someone to critique and explain composition on both of photos. Unfortunately this is the only way I could learn..
thank you for your time and effort!

[elle s'ennuie]

I'm certainly not qualified to say which one is 'better', but based purely on my own visual enjoyment, I prefer the second photo. Though perhaps it could be enhanced if her hand was just slightly more towards the centre, and we could see a bit more of the yellow sleeve on the left side.

[jamesev]

ditto on the qualification but I like #1

[Marija]

elle, jamesev, thank you for your thoughts! i gave up hoping that someone will write something
elle, i think the same about the sleeve.

[wulf]

I think you want the comparison critique forum for this (moved). What were the settings you used for each shot? In particular, aperture and the lens used would be interesting as depth of field seems to be a key part of both images.

Wulf

[autofocus]

I prefer the first one mostly because of the lighting. With her hand well lit and her face darker it's easier to see that the subject is her hand. In the second image where both her hand and face are lit the same, you tend to flip between the main subject (her hand) and her face. I also feel the first image would benefit with a crop to get her hand less centered. Here's an example of the crop:

[yulchick]

I prefer the second one, just my opinion.. Also just a sujestion here..if you are trying to capture her hand during her early months of life, it might be a good comparison to squeeze your hand in there somehow, just so you can visualy see how tiny it is in comparison to mommy's/daddy's hand...eather placing the baby's hand on your palm, or squezzing one of your fingers in to make her grab your hand would work anywanys thats just my opinion might want to try this for her tiny feet as well, they only stay cute for so long, soon it will be yucky grown up feet, not much to photograph there lol

[Marija]

Originally Posted by wulf

What were the settings you used for each shot? In particular, aperture and the lens used would be interesting as depth of field seems to be a key part of both images.
Wulf

exif for the first one:
Camera Olympus E-520
Lens 14-42 mm
Exposure 0.011 sec (1/90)
Aperture f/5
Focal Length 29 mm

for the second one:
Exposure 0.011 sec (1/90)
Aperture f/5.1
Focal Length 31 mm

Originally Posted by autofocus

I prefer the first one

Originally Posted by yulchick

I prefer the second one, just my opinion..

it's 50:50 again

Originally Posted by autofocus

...mostly because of the lighting. With her hand well lit and her face darker it's easier to see that the subject is her hand. In the second image where both her hand and face are lit the same, you tend to flip between the main subject (her hand) and her face. I also feel the first image would benefit with a crop to get her hand less centered. Here's an example of the crop:

I kind of wanted that effect with the second image, so I'm glad that I achieved it Regarding the crop, that was my problem. what do I get with her hand centered and with her hand not centered?
oh, my English is rusty so I cant express my thoughts properly, sorry.

Originally Posted by yulchick

Also just a sujestion here..

Yes, I took some photos with comparison. cute cute and cute

Thank you all for your words!

[JFSanders]

Your english is fine! If your subject is the hand then you should do like Autofocus said and light it and put it in the frame so that it gets all of the attention. Still need the little one's face so that you can tell who's hand it is. I think the suggestion of an adult finger wrapped inside would make for a better composition and help tell the viewer just what you were feeling. Me I like the first one a little better because the lighting is better to me. Jim

[Marija]

autofocus and JFSanders, I did the crop. Thank you!