Streetlamps: Which tells the better story?

[delgadina]

I took two pictures of the same lamps. I like them enough, but I can't choose just one.

The first image, I like the straightforwardness of the lamp and the arc. But for the second image, I guess I'm looking more at the shape of the lamp, how more dimension of it is seen. I can't decide which shot is better.

Care to share your opinions? Which shot is better, which one tells the better story? Notes about the composition and exposure?

Any other tips and pointers are much appreciated too. Thanks so much!

1.

2.

Camera: Nikon D3000
Lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR
Focal Length: 44mm
Aperture: f5.3
Shutter Speed: 1/80
ISO: 400
Flash: Yes, External SB-600

[Preacherman]

Well Delgadina, for me it's no 2. I like the angle on the light, the nice shadow it is casting and the detail of the archway. It is less symetrical and overall better composed. Thanks for posting these. PAUL

[delgadina]

Originally Posted by Preacherman

Well Delgadina, for me it's no 2. I like the angle on the light, the nice shadow it is casting and the detail of the archway. It is less symetrical and overall better composed. Thanks for posting these. PAUL

Thank you for your input! You pointing out the lack of symmetry made me notice other details in a different light.

[Buddhanature]

2. for me is also the clear winner. You can see the detail in the arch better, more of the light and the part holding the light to the wall (sconce?)

[delgadina]

Originally Posted by Buddhanature

2. for me is also the clear winner. You can see the detail in the arch better, more of the light and the part holding the light to the wall (sconce?)

Thank you for your input! And yes, it's a sconce light fixture. Outside the patio of my house.

[kgb224]

Nr 2 is my favorite,By just using another angle one can see a huge difference.

[Sterling]

No. 2 is clearly better exposed and better composed. The first one is 50% black!

[delgadina]

Originally Posted by Sterling

No. 2 is clearly better exposed and better composed. The first one is 50% black!

Oh, yes. I see it now. Thank you. )

Originally Posted by kgb224

Nr 2 is my favorite,By just using another angle one can see a huge difference.

Indeed it does. It made so big of a difference, I couldn't decide on my own and came running here. Haha! Thank you for your comment.

[Hartzler]

Delgadina,

Both versions have interest. In the larger Flickr versions, you see much more detail in each version.

I felt the first version is better exposed for the lamp itself. You see more bulb detail. I felt the colors of the wall right around the lamp had a bit more richness of color (but this was subtle). In the second version, you exposed more for the wall and surrounding darker areas, thus blowing out the light of the lamp a bit and overexposing the wall right next to the lamp a shade (but having better exposure as to the molding and parts of the wall farther away from the lamp).

It's a tough situation to get the exposure just right, you have the very bright lamp next to the dark shading of the doorway and wall details.There are post-processing tricks you can do to preserve the detail in both the lamp and the door especially if you shoot in RAW.

I liked the composition of the second a bit more, because the angle seemed to show me more detail in the sconce and lamp. But it wasn't a slam dunk for me, both versions hold interest.

Thanks for sharing.

Mark

[delgadina]

Originally Posted by Hartzler

Delgadina,

Both versions have interest. In the larger Flickr versions, you see much more detail in each version.

I felt the first version is better exposed for the lamp itself. You see more bulb detail. I felt the colors of the wall right around the lamp had a bit more richness of color (but this was subtle). In the second version, you exposed more for the wall and surrounding darker areas, thus blowing out the light of the lamp a bit and overexposing the wall right next to the lamp a shade (but having better exposure as to the molding and parts of the wall farther away from the lamp).

It's a tough situation to get the exposure just right, you have the very bright lamp next to the dark shading of the doorway and wall details.There are post-processing tricks you can do to preserve the detail in both the lamp and the door especially if you shoot in RAW.

I liked the composition of the second a bit more, because the angle seemed to show me more detail in the sconce and lamp. But it wasn't a slam dunk for me, both versions hold interest.

Thanks for sharing.

Mark

Thank you for your thought and insight! You worded out the same points that I liked about the first picture, which, for some reason, I couldn't articulate properly at the time of posting. Haha! Thank you once again! I'll keep that in mind.