Which One's The Real Winner?
Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
Yes, you can tell I'm right into the Super Bowl, even though I live on the other side of the world and. It's already Monday morning here, but hey, who cares! As you can see, I have a super bowl of my own - on our dining table. It's a beautiful lime-green ceramic bowl, so I decided to carry out a mini-experiment with my camera. For the first shot (above) I set the camera to auto-focus and if you look really carefully, you'll see the segment that is in sharp focus is the outer rim on the extreme left-hand side.
Then I set the camera to manual focus and took the second shot (below) after focusing on the area of the rim closest to me. The first shot was taken at 1/125th of a sec, F5.6, ISO 400 and the second shot was taken at the same settings but ISO 800. You can tell I was never very good at basketball - too many rim shots!
Which of the two shots do you prefer?
33 comments:
which do we prefer? geesh, tough call, but we might prefer the first one. well maybe the second one. okay we don't know. penelope says the first one i say the second one. antonio can't see yet from being in the closet so long so he can't pick.
gerald the majestic goat
2nd shot David, it looks misty and took my eye.
First shot with my glasses on - second when I take them off..
2nd shot is beautiful and ethereal, more of an art shot I think.
1st shot gives a clearer idea of the bowl itself. As a personal choice I think I'd go for that one.
Hard to choose though.
I prefer the first one because it is much clearer and shinier.
Could you sent me the way to set up a link on my Middle Ditch E-mail? Am a bit hesitant to put it here.
I'll have to take your word for it that it's honestly easy.
I like the misty quality of the second shot, but for me, pizazz wins out. The reflected light in the first shot grabs my attention in a very real way.
I suppose I just like shiny things, hmm?
I like the first shot best--for the clarity and the contrast of dark and light. You make simplicity beautiful.
I think that I prefer the second shot. I chose it not only because it has a great contrast, but also because until I upgrade my camera I CAN'T SHOOT THAT KIND OF PHOTO.
:(
Personally, I prefer the first one.
Mari-Nanci
Just discovered your blog today!
I like the second shot as it is more abstract, but I prefer the first due to the contrast.
1st. For the shape. But I'd like a different background.
We just read about focusing in The Book and the most I ever learned was from another blogger: a scrapbooker. So I prefer my way to focus. Focus manually and then reframe with shutter half-down.
I know you know all this. I just have to brag my new knowledge now. Smart aleck yes I am.
I like both.
David - have you done a post on the virtues of not tweaking photos?
I'm interested - the basic digital I used to use needed something to give it a boost in most cases....plus I like creating effects.
I like the first one. The second just doesn't look in focus to me. In fact it looks like a picture dot would have taken. lol
okay...So I want to be difficult. LOL
I like the focus on the second one, but would like to see more of the curve of the rim like the first one. So I guess I like the comp of the first, but the focal point of the second. :)
Mmmm...I liked the first one best David. It was the depth of field which softened gradually that got me. The reflections just pop out at you more in photo number 1.
Thanks for sharing a good visual example of the difference an ISO setting can make.
Peace!
have a go at my quick quiz.
I like the first shot better. Don't have a clue when it comes to football, but hockey that's a different story.
Hiya David..tough call..I have a black and white ceramic bowl on my glass table..I must send u the pic~!
Super Bowl is on..Go NY!..ha
I like "souper-bowl" number ONE. Why? I dunno. Guess it just "stands-out"---which is more than I can say for our "Super"-Bowl up-here!
I like collegiate games---more MUD, and FIGHT, involved!(Yeah, I'd have made a GREAT "water-boy"...!)
First one.
Gotta run. Half-time intermission coming to an end.
Go Patriots!!
I just love how your mind works, I really do. Very well done. Have a great day. :)
That is a beautiful bowl in either picture. I like the first one best.
I like the first one best.
shot two...looks like Mercury...
Sandi
The top one is clearer but the bottom one is really prettier.
Thanks so much for your blog, it's such a blessing.
First visit to your blog which came highly recommended from Akelemalu at "Everything And Nothing."
I would have to say I agree with her. I enjoyed my visit.
As for which picture I prefer, well...you say tomato, I say tomato. Artistically they both have their points, as did the title.
May I bet that you know my answer? ;-)
The autofocus took the picture most photographers would want it to, don't you agree?
Both shots are good, but I do prefer the second one. Thanks for adding me to your blogroll. I'll be updating mine sometime during the week!
Second one definitely here, David. It's got an interesting "eye-train". The bottom left corner of the first one seems slightly too distracting for me. :)
I much prefer the second one, I like the simplicity of it. The first is a much more standard view of the bowl, while the second is just much more unusual!
Both are good. The first one lets you see the object better, so you know what you're looking at. But if pushed I would say I prefer the second one.
Thanks for looking in on my page.
LOVE the first one! I was struck with it when I first scrolled down to it. The second one is good, but after the first, to me it doesn't compare.
now these are super bowls... after much consideration and going back and forth I believe #2 is my fave
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