Need an opoionion

[ColleenG]

I'm still going through all my shots from our December trip. For my first time with my DSLR I think I got some decent shots of the castle at night. But I'm wondering if this looks too dark?

EXIF ISO 200, f/10 1.3 sec with -2/3 EV

Here's basically the same shot taken with the same settings only I brightened it a bit (+0.67)

Which looks better?

Thanks

 

[ColleenG]

Now that I can see them side by side I think I know, but I want to see what the gurus think!

 

[YesDear]

Always personal choice.

My choice is the second one!

 

[Evad]

2nd one....

 

[JoeDif]

#2 as well

 

[Gdad]

The second shot looks better. Keep in mind for printing both would look even darker than on screen.

 

[PhotographyDR]

I think the second one is better edited. The more you can get a contrast the better your all around shot would be. I always boost that contrast, saturation especially against a black background. As long as you don't over expose those highlights. On Christmas lights you have some more room because they are almost overexposed anyway. This angle on the bridge is one of my favorite spots to shoot the castle at night. Nice job.

 

[AndrewWG]

I think they are both very nice but I guess I like #2 the best as well. I might even try to boost the fill light and see what that does. Shouldn't add much to the exposure at all but may bring out some details in the front of the photo a bit. Then again, what I do is hit or miss and sometimes fill light can ruin an otherwise great pic. Of course, then you just dial it back to the original.

 

[wenrob]

I think they are both very nice but I guess I like #2 the best as well. I might even try to boost the fill light and see what that does. Shouldn't add much to the exposure at all but may bring out some details in the front of the photo a bit. Then again, what I do is hit or miss and sometimes fill light can ruin an otherwise great pic. Of course, then you just dial it back to the original.

I agree a little fill light should help. What I do is bring it up until I think it looks good then and back off a smidge. You could also try pulling the blacks back just a touch.

 

[boBQuincy]

My choice is... both! The darker one has better highlights, the lighter one has better shadows. Merge the two and get it all!

 

[WDWFigment]

Increase the fill light, contrast, and move the recovery slider just a touch on the first one and you'll have a perfect shot.

 

[ColleenG]

Thanks everyone. Now that I can see them side by side I like the second one better too. I think you can see more details in the reflection. Now I just need to learn how to use Photoshop to learn the things you have suggested. I can see how fill light would help. How do I do that? I have PSE. Can I do it in that? So far I have just been using the software that came with my camera. Canon's Digital Photo Professional.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I like them both. I'd clone out the stray light on the right.

 

[ColleenG]

I like them both. I'd clone out the stray light on the right.

The light on the right is actually the moon. It looked much cooler in person.

 

[bostran1]

I like them both. I'd clone out the stray light on the right.

I agree with Mark. Cloning out the light on the right and a few specks on the left would help a great deal. I suppose between the two, I like the second one.

 

[Groucho]

I would crop a little, too - cut off some of the left but leave the vertical unchanged. You'll end up with a very narrow aspect ratio but I think it would work for the shot.