Which to keep?

[stubbsy]

I have a problem with these two images of a pair of courting Gentoo Penguins. I really like both shots, but realistically think they are too similar - especially to go in a book of my trip that I'm going to work on next. Over the last 3 months I've kept coming back to them and I'm still ambivalent. Neither is ahead for me.

So I need your help... Which is the stronger image for you, and why?

[bigsarg7]

well IMO, i like them both and can understand your circumstances in trying to choose one, but if it were me i think I would use both, I think it kinda tells a story and only having one or the other wouldn't tell a full story to me. Well thats my opinion, but i love #2 so cute!!

[Jenno]

#2 is the stronger image for me Peter but #1 is a natural precursor for #2..so why not include both to tell the story..its like a comic strip

[Aussie Dave]

I have to agree....I think they would work wonderfully together.
Perhaps a square crop to each and displayed side by side, or one above the other.

If I were forced to pick one, I'd have to choose no. 2.

Really nice images and kudos on nailing the exposure in such a tough environment (all that snow/ice) with the subject being black & white. With these examples your book is sure to be absolutely fantastic!

Dave

[Chaase]

Both of them are fantasic, very slight weighting to #2 but as others have said try to use both.

[gstark]

Peter,

I'd certainly be inclined to keep both as well.

As Dave suggested, a crop may be in order too, but unlike Dave's suggested square crop, I'd like to crop out about two thirds of the foreground at the bottom.

[Reschsmooth]

For me, the two images separately aren't as strong as the story told or assumed by the combination of them both.

[chrisk]

i love #2. i like it the way it is with no crop and personally i think it would lose its visual impact if you either cropped tighter or combined the images. the ice presents a perfect natural border and gives the impression of this sign of life in a vast expanse of nothingness. i would love to see this hanging somewhere in a very large size, its a really beautiful image.

[biggerry]

Perhaps a square crop to each and displayed side by side, or one above the other.

As Dave suggested, a crop may be in order too, but unlike Dave's suggested square crop, I'd like to crop out about two thirds of the foreground at the bottom.

I also agree that both images should be kept, imo the are worlds apart purely based on the primary subject, the gentoos.

Crop wise, I see merits in Dave and Garys suggestion and a triptych could well be a winner in eitehr crop. However I would consider a pano style crop with both images in a triptych, one bottom. one top. I think the horizontal space provides enough information to convey the sense of space.

[Remorhaz]

I might be a little different and suggest (if you havnt already planned it out) using the second image as the last shot in the book - it's got that warm leaving end of the story feel. Which would of coursenallow using the other image separately elsewhere.

[aim54x]

You simply have to keep both!

[colin_12]

I would keep the second as it says more to me. Much more.

[surenj]

both. dyptych. Maybe pano crops each with the birds centered. Then you can put the two pics on top of each other.

Fascinating behaviour!!

[radar]

Peter,

both are great but some kind of a crop would be in order. I suspect you may have a third shot of their interaction action, can you put together a triptych?

If I had to pick one, I would pick #2 but they do go together to tell a story.

André

[glamy]

I would keep #2 if I could not use both. The second one is more moving when seen with the other one.

[surenj]

Ah Ignore my idea, I've tried it and it doesn't work!

[phillipb]

I might be a little different and suggest (if you havnt already planned it out) using the second image as the last shot in the book - it's got that warm leaving end of the story feel. Which would of coursenallow using the other image separately elsewhere.

Actually I would go one step further and use No.1 as the front cover and No.2 as the back cover. The empty space is perfect for titles etc.

[the foto fanatic]

I agree with Peter's original assessment that only one of these images is necessary for the project. I'm sure the other one would get a run somewhere else.

That said, I just love #2.

The backs of the penguins are solid black, whereas the fronts are white. The black has a better contrast against the snow/ice in the photo. In addition, seeing the male's arm around the female and the way she is leaning towards the male make a more "aww!" feeling than the other, IMHO.

Should be a great book!

[biggerry]

I might be a little different and suggest (if you havnt already planned it out) using the second image as the last shot in the book - it's got that warm leaving end of the story feel. Which would of coursenallow using the other image separately elsewhere.

Actually I would go one step further and use No.1 as the front cover and No.2 as the back cover. The empty space is perfect for titles etc.

good idea

[gstark]

I might be a little different and suggest (if you havnt already planned it out) using the second image as the last shot in the book - it's got that warm leaving end of the story feel. Which would of coursenallow using the other image separately elsewhere.

Actually I would go one step further and use No.1 as the front cover and No.2 as the back cover. The empty space is perfect for titles etc.

good idea

I'd go so far as to say brilliant.

[ATJ]

Add another vote for #1 on the front cover and #2 on the back.

[Big V]

For me number two is a much stronger image by far. Thats the one I would keep.

[ozimax]

Absolutely brilliant Stubbsy. Keep both. Maybe a duel view arrangement? ( eg what's the duo version of a triptych, a diptych?)

These photos are amazing, I can imagine Pingu getting a talking by his mother and then it's all over and away they walk...