Stream vs Stream

[Mad Aussie]

Still playing with these HDR images and trying different things.

Which of these two shots is more appealing??

[F8&Bthere]

On first look I like the lower one by a hair - they are very close of course, but there's a bit more detail or sharper detail in the background and reflections. The upper one looks a bit more ethereal, which is nice as well. Gorgeous shot(s)!

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks F8

[Gem]

I like the first better; I think the shadows add a bit more depth and gives it painted look. Although, on the right side, there's about a third of the picture where it looks considerably lighter than the rest (anything to the right of the tree trunk on the bank). It's not so noticeable in the second photo, but it really stuck out to me in the first. Lol, now I can't stop staring at it.

[Mad Aussie]

Yes the glow of the sun is more evident there because the bush thins out in the area you can see between those trunks.

I think I also like the first better. It's interesting to see who likes what version.

[kat]

I'm for #1 too!

[Rinkdaddy]

I'am with F8&Bthere on this one. I like the second one. It looks a little more realistic to me. As mentioned, both pictures are great.

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks for those comments.

Yes ... back in the 'old' days we did use all sorts of things as filters. I used to steal my wife's stockings/panty hose and cut a small hole in them to create a 'soft filter' for portraits.
Cellophane for coloured filters was another trick.

[Chantelle]

I like the first one better I think, simply because it's got that dream look about it, looks like a image that someone would dream of. Both are very close, I had to look at both several times to figure out what was actually different.