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.
A. I think A has more to tell and the main focus lies at the running woman instead of the flare in photo B
B is the one
I like B better I just think the cars on the left should be cropped out and bring back some of the detail in the woman’s body. I like the faint spot in the middle because it looks imaginative.
I actually find that A leaves me wondering what I should be focusing on. The background is pretty distracting with no change in contrast or brightness to bring out the runner. I do realize that the ad may be in a publication that will make it obvious or a logo somewhere in the ad will make it obvious. In B, yes the flair is a little distracting, but it hits you more emotionally and brings the focus to the runner. It also does leave more space for copy. My vote is for B, while less technically correct it is more raw and emotional which is what sells products.
B, since it would support Campaign/Body/Tag text so well, without sacrificing the runner.
More editorial applications, i guess is what I’m getting at. Contrast in A makes it difficult to pair with type.