Indecision

The 3:1 Crop

The 2:1 Crop

Difficult to decide.......
IMO first image, as it portrays the vastness of the place....TFS

Definitely like them in the order you posted them, and I especially like the first post best because of the way the light enhances the color of the FG rocks, beautiful scene Youssef.
John

I definitely like the 3:1 crop Youssef, The first image is one most people would shoot and I've seen many with this view point which includes the majority of the Garrapata area and coastline. The second zero's in on the beauty of the rocks along this section of coast without any other distractions; I believe it will make a gorgeous wall-sized print. Well done

I like the 2:1 crop the best. For me it shows a really nice long sweeping arc of land with good emphasis on the breakers and off shore rocks. I find myself wondering what including a bit more land at the top would look like. In the full frame, I find the dark rock llc attracting too much attention and wonder what dodging that rock would do. The 3:1 crop feels too restricted for my tastes, but does emphasize the wave breaking on the off shore rock.

I like the photo a lot, including the light on the foreground rock and the beautiful colors. You did not present this as an option, but what about cropping the top just above the distant cliffs (and a little off the right to get rid of the remaining bit of sky)?

I like them all but prefer the first.

The first for me, definitely, for all the reasons stated by previous commenters.

@Scott, I did make that crop which was close to a 3:2 ratio but it felt odd to me as it cut right through the middle of that small hill.

The pano is the way to go in my opinion. I was not sold on the big rock in the uncropped image. It draws too much attention I think. The pano works beautifully for me!

All three are exceptional images Youssef. In my experience if you plan on selling these the pans will do better. I thinks it's because they fit a wall better. On the 2:1 crop I would consider cropping out the little piece of sky in the URC. The textures on the rocks and the nice warm light add so much to the image. I really like the image and if I were to choose one I like the 2:1 pan but all of them will work.

Without question I prefer the first image. Beautiful colors and great choice of shutter speed.

Youssef, I like the the 2:1 crop over the others by quite a bit. It just seems to work better for me. Take care of the urc as Dietrich mentioned and I think it is a fantastic image. Would make a beautiful print!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Youssef,

First of all, this is a beautiful coastal seascape from Big Sur - Is this Garrapata also? Looks like.

Here's my .02. I prefer the original simply because of the grand view, showcasing the coast beautifully with the warm glow, color and even the texture, mood of the ocean. I also really, really like the 3:1 crop with a suggestion. This is beautiful and agree with others would make for a gorgeous print. My suggestion is that the top is too cramped. If you had the top equal in spacing to the 2:1 crop, this would be my choice. The 3:1 is my last and least favorite for 2 reasons. 1. The rock in the LL is pretty dominant and I think upsets the overall balance and 2. the corner of sky isn't working - it's more like an oversight or something. I can't see this version making it to a fine art print. Now, if you cloned in some headlands or did something to eliminate any sky in that corner, I would have a different opinion.

You most certainly have a beautiful keeper in that mix somewhere.

Lon

Alright, here it goes. I'll do my best to toss in my thoughts...

First off---INCREDIBLE! I love the scene, and it appears to be edited very well, IMO. Here's my thoughts on each crop...

#1---I like the context here, which just about places the viewer into the scene. I do feel like I don't know where to settle my eyes, though.

#2---I may be leaning towards this simplified version. There's a lot of details, but all of it is one idea---richly colored rocks poking out above the moving water.

#3---This crop catches my eyes, but the small bit of sky is a bit distracting.

All that to say, I prefer the second, but still really like the first. I doubt this was much help, but thought I'd talk out loud here.

Again, I really am enjoying this image! Great capture, and I hope you find the right crop...

Youssef, I'm not sure why you've struggled for two years on this image, its wonderful. To be honest, the choices with regard to crops and other ideas only adds to the diversity within this image. I prefer the original, but I also like the cropped versions too. Sorry I cannot be precise in the decision, but again, the original works as is for me.

I definitely prefer the first one. It is a grand view with sweet light. The crops feel cramped to me. Real nice image. No need to agonize over it.

Beautiful light and glow in this one Youssef. I love both the original and the 3:1 crop. I wouldn't choose between them, but use both. Beautiful work.

Wonderful shot Youssef, I prefer the 3:1 crop the most, my second choice would be your original post. The sliver of sky in the 2:1 crop is slightly distracting.

The original post is best for me. The softness of the water and yellow+blue tones works really well. Probably should be moved to M&N as I can see a road and poles in the background.

I prefer the original Youssef. It has more of a sense of place than the cropped versions. Wonderful water motion.