Summer shots for Christmas

[purplehaze]

My sister thinks my nephews would like prints of some of the action shots I took of them this summer. Of course, the shots that they might like best, I am rejecting as too soft, too out-of-focus, too poorly exposed.

These are a couple of the one nephew that I thought weren't too bad. Which do you prefer and how might it or they be improved?

#1


#2

[rpcrowe]

Great shot! Perhaps you might think of darkening the blue sky just a bit...

[Shadowman]

Both are equally fine, the second image because the foreshortened arm in the first looks awkward. I was also thinking that a full 90 degree tilt would make it look more dynamic, as is it looks like he's about to fall, but you may end up with a chopped frame.

[purplehaze]

I didn't get these done for Xmas, so I am making a move to a new house my new target.

Richard, I darkened the sky, and John, this is all the angle I could get without chopping limbs.

How does it look?

[Donald]

How did I miss this first time around?

Hope it's not going to throw things into confusion, but I like the very first one above. Why? Because it's given a bit more space around the young man and I think that adds to the sense of movement and dynamism. In fact, I think it's a beauty. With the other one (and it's re-work) it feels like he's a bit 'crammed-in' to the frame.

Just a thought.

[John 2]

I'm with Donald on this Janis plus I like the nice curl on the wave coming from under the surf board.

[Loose Canon]

I’d go with Donald and John Janis. He’ll love this for his “I Love Me” wall!

You probably already know this but be careful about getting things (in this case hands) to close to the edge of the frame if you are going to print. Especially if you are going to frame and/or matte.

[Kyle]

I agree with Donald as well. The first one benefits from the extra room. They are both great shots though!

[bnnrcn]

I agree with the comments above and #1 works better for me too

[purplehaze]

You probably already know this but be careful about getting things (in this case hands) to close to the edge of the frame if you are going to print. Especially if you are going to frame and/or matte.

No, Terry, I never print (still working up the courage), so I hadn't thought of that. Very useful tip, so thank you!

Looks like the majority is falling on the side of #1, so I will print that one, at least. Thanks, everyone!