Marvelous maples

The second  version.... comments appreciated

Albert,
Out of the 2 I like the second better for the flow on the image. A nice sampling of the autumn maples.
Jim

They are both very nice, Albert. I do prefer the horizontal one because I think flows better. My only suggestion would be to brighten it just a bit: It feels a little too dark. But, that's minor. The color and textures work vry well.

--P

I prefer the first one by quick reaction test.  I like the 'fill the frame' approach.

Put me down for the horizontal, Albert. To me it better fills the frame. Very nice.

Hi Albert, Both of these are nice but the second version (horizontal) works best for me. I like the tighter feel of the comp which has such a nice flowing feel. Like Preston I think just a bit brighter would work well on this image. I have enjoyed your fall images very much. 

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

You've got some glorious colors in the leave here, Albert.  I like both views a lot, with the vertical being a fine look at the leaves and the tree's shape, while the crop emphasizes the leaves nicely.

Albert, this may be my favorite of your fall series so far.  My preference is for the vertical image.  Love the dark trunks which show off the color of the leaves perfectly.

I'm glad you brought this up. I can agonize over choices like this for days sometimes. They are both great compositions but the vertical composition is clearly superior. The horizontal version is more about design but the first tells you more about the subject. The 2nd image is much easier to come up with than the first in my experience. When I shoot my main shot is usually the close up and the larger image is invariably a 'just in case' image and it's that image that is superior in the end. Just my thoughts.

PS I think you went too far with those reds. I would back off on their saturation a bit.There are also a few sky white spots which should be cloned out. I do like the inclusion of the grass at the bottom.

The vertical version is the winner for me, looks more coherent in my eyes.

Albert,

A lovely autumn image.  I too prefer the vertical, but with one suggestion.  If it were mine, I would crop the bottom to eliminate the grass.  For me, the inclusion of it makes this look like a more traditional tree image. but without any reference to the ground, it tells me more about the intention of the image and what really attracted  you to this intimate scene.  I hope that makes sense.

The horizontal crop works well for design and color, but I find it makes for a ping-pong effect with my eye bouncing between the two main branches.  Of course that doesn't mean everyone sees  it like that.

These are both strong comps but I prefer the landscape presentation due to simplicity.  There are 2 swaths of maple as opposed to 5 in the portrait view.  I do think the landscape view could be a tint bit more saturated or bright but not quite as bright or saturated as the portrait view.

Marvelous is right!