Im getting ready for a show in march and am working on these two versions of the same bldg in garibaldi harbor .. my initial inclination was to go with this more set-back perspective because I was taken by the squiggly mast reflections and the loneliness of the scene (but after printing version 2 I am torn .. what do you think? (excuse the rough coating -- still working on these)
No 2 is a photographers composition and it works. I feel this would resonate more with the general viewing public as it alludes to the loneliness/dangers etc of what fishing means to some. The open water is pivotal here - just my opinion and thoughts of course!
I actually prefer this compositon. The other one is tight but perhaps more of a traditional way of composing. This one allows for some interpretation with the open water on the left. To me, it breathes more.
Perhaps a little could be taken off the bottom, but perfection isn't always perfect.
My opinion usually seems to differ from others but to me the squiggly reflections are kind of a distraction. In fact I thought it was pollution in the water until I read your description. I prefer #2
While there may be land off to the right of the building, this composition creates, for me, the sense that this is a building out in the middle of the ocean and that these 2 or 3 boats have found it to seek refuge. It says "lonely" and "hope" and I prefer it much more than the other.
I grew up on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and the other composition looks like a working image that I would see or drive past every single day...