I was just recently commissioned for a campaign and shot about 1000 images to capture final image for this well known sports company. In the end, it came down to the two images above. As is usually the case, the final image is tough to choose, with lots of factors under consideration, lots of stakeholders picking their favorite. There was much debate.
I’ve posted stuff like this before and was really excited by the resulting discussion, so I figured I’d throw it out there again… WHICH IS BETTER, A or B?
Vote in the comments. Love to know ‘why’ if you care to explain your thoughts. 600 px wide versions of each image after the jump…hit [‘continue reading’ below]. After you all weigh in, I’ll tell you which one was used and why.
This is PHOTO A, below.
THIS is PHOTO B, below.
Seems like a no-brainer to me. A, all the way. The glare in B doesn’t look intentional. It just looks like a mistake. With B, was the idea that there would be copy on top of the glare?
B cause it’s imperfect. Perfect is just something created by what other people tell you is perfect and if something “imperfect” is released out into the world by someone of importance and viewed by millions of people who all love it then it will most likely turn into a “perfect” picture. So what would you rather do, put out an already perfect picture that won’t change people’s minds and instead will just make people say “hm that’s pretty nice”, or do you want to put something out that makes people look twice and think “hey that’s really cool. I don’t think i’ve seen something like that before but it looks awesome!”?
A – it’s a beautiful, well composed, sharp, shot. There is nothing not to like about it.
The only thing missing is the little magic that the right flare could provide.
B – I like the flare idea even though the flare isn’t quite right.
I like it because its composition emphasizes the girl running.
Perhaps If the flare was smaller, B would be perfect for me.
Best regards.
Mauro
Photo A
I’d go with B . . . why? It’s simply a more artistic shot. A, while a fine shot, is less dynamic. If I am flipping through a magazine, me eye would skip right over it. The bright flare in B draws my eye to the image – in this age of rapid attention real estate, you need something like that to catch the eye quickly . . .
-pmk