Which do you prefer?

[auddii]

1. "Against the rules" with the building centered in the photo.

IMG_4608.jpg by auddii, on Flickr

2. More leading of the leading lines, and the building closer to the top third of the picture.

IMG_4609.jpg by auddii, on Flickr

Personally, I like #1 better, but I'm curious what other people think. I feel like I'm "supposed" to like #2 better.

[DigitalScape]

I like the second image better - not because of the rule of thirds, but because the building in the first image is "leaning" away from the viewer (and that was corrected in the second image). In the second image most of the sky on the right hand side is blown out (I am looking at the images on a laptop - uncalibrated monitor).

[Tom]

Two, for a lot of the reasons John gave.

[RexGig]

#1 seems more interesting, to me. The proportions are good, to my eye. The Rule of Thirds IS there, too; 1/3 sky, 1/3 building, and 1/3 brick pavement. (I believe the Rule of Thirds is A way, not THE way... ) Moreover, the sky is more interesting in #1.

The leaning effect of the building in #1 may not appeal to everyone, and #2 may be more technically correct in that regard, but I don't mind it in #1. Of course, I make no claim to being an artist nor a pro photographer.

[groovyone]

#2. I like the more dramatic leading lines, the sence of leading you to the building is stronger. Plus I like the exposure better since the building is backlit you either end up with a blue sky and dark building or a lit building and a blown out sky.

[jmalbright]

I prefer the 2nd primarily because the verticals of the building are actually vertical in that image.

[iCe]

#2 and I generally don't like "rules" but in this case it works

[lfmerrell]

#2 is favored.

[brewercm]

I like #2 a it feels the entry to the building puts it into context for me.

[auddii]

I don't usually mind the distortion of wide angle lenses, so I wasn't really looking at that. Here's a corrected version of #1. I was more interested in what people think of the composition (although I'm sure exposure and everything will affect what people think of them).


lens correction by auddii, on Flickr

Now we can compare apples to apples.

[acscarrow]

Still like #2

[Stargazer77517]

2nd one for me also. Just has a better balanced feel to it.

[Nikonfan]

Another one for #2

[mmmiller]

I like #2. Draws your eyes into the Photo

[tukaniray]

#2 gets my vote as well.

-Ray-