Which version (crop with with a leveling horizon or original)?

[darkosaric]

So,

I took this photo from a running car, through a window. I think that road was inclined, not my camera, but I am not 100% sure.
In any case - I am having a hard time deciding which version I prefer . What do you think?

Ignore strange colors, that is iPhone having problems to get white balance in my darkroom.

Thanks
Darko

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

The first gets me dizzy. The second is better. Rotate it 1 degree to the right.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The first because of the natural tilt has more impact. I like it a lot more.

 

[JensH]

Hi,

the second.
On the first there is too much gray/dark areas on top and bottom and the tilt is distracting...

 

[Maris]

You can always claim the pictorial technique of Dutch Tilt or Dutch Angle where the camera is deliberately not level thus rendering a tilted horizon.
The idea behind it is to suggest some tension, dislocation, or strangeness in an otherwise ordinary scene.
I guess it's something not to over use unless you are doing German expressionist cinema.

 

[MattKing]

My general rule of thumb is to not include something that is at an incline unless the viewer can tell that the incline makes sense.
Something like a vertical tree that makes it clear that the sidewalk is at an incline. I see nothing like that in this image.
For that reason, I would chose to level it.
FWIW, the image has its own internal strength, so it would be a shame to distract from that strength by including what appears to be an unintentional skewing of it.
These sort of issues can be difficult, because sometimes it can be hard to intentionally ignore what your actual experience was, in order to aid in the experience enjoyed by your audience.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Due to subject matter I prefer the first one. It adds to the bleakness one sees in passing that isn't of our world.

 

[jvo]

#1, anyone can do #2. the thoughtful photographer is gonna do the first.

 

[Sirius Glass]

#1, anyone can do #2. the thoughtful photographer is gonna do the first.

A wise man responded.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

the leveled horizon is much better IMO

 

[hgernhardt]

For composition, the reference verticals become obvious on routine examination. I opine #1 if the tilt is a stylistic or storytelling choice (such as the entire photostory is a similar off-the-hip, out-the-moving-car-window vibe), #2 otherwise. Perhaps its the scan, but I prefer the lack of graininess in #1. I like #2's tonal range better, though.

 

[darkosaric]

Thank you all for your feedback . I have printed both versions on expired Fomatone MG, together with the rest of the series. I still need to think about which one I prefer more...but on the end it is not like I will exhibit them or something, so no rush there.

Short explanation of the workflow : I am often on a business trips in different countries, and all photos that I can take are on my way to the work - while in the car. So most of the photos are through the windows in a moving car.

Rest of the series from last Kinshasa trip, if somebody is interested to take a look:

 

[GregY]

Darco, since you asked.... I think the #1 ....being off vertical doesn't make the photo more interesting.... #2 doesn't make it less interesting. The image doesn't speak to me....
If it were on my contact sheet i likely wouldn't even print it. I think there are much stronger images on your last post.

 

[wiltw]

Photo 2 obeys the rules of straight horizontal, but visually I find the image to be less exciting to me than Photo 1. Photo 1 doesn't have things that strongly exhibit leaning verticals, so I am inclined to accept that the scene is located at a slope upward (from left to right) and not needing to be 'corrected'

 

[GregY]

Photo 2 obeys the rules of straight horizontal, but visually I find the image to be less exciting to me than Photo 1. Photo 1 doesn't have things that strongly exhibit leaning verticals, so I am inclined to accept that the scene is located at a slope upward (from left to right) and not needing to be 'corrected'

that may be so....but the image isn't particularly compelling, unlike the Farm Security photos by Dorothea Lange and others.......so imo the gratuitous orientation doesn't make a difference.

 

[wiltw]

that may be so....but the image isn't particularly strong, unlike the Farm Security photos by Dorothea Lange and others.

Op did not ask for critical review of the merits of the photo, he asked which orientation folks liked better...so I provided my opinion about that choice.

 

[darkosaric]

Thanks Greg, I do appreciate feedback . I always try to print at least around 10 prints, as souvenir for me from my trip. I am aware that my photos from Kinshasa are not so 'wow' in comparing to photos from other cities that I visited.

 

[GregY]

Op did not ask for critical review of the merits of the photo, he asked which orientation folks liked better...so I provided my opinion about that choice.

that wasn't a criticism but an explanation for my choice....

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Thank you all for your feedback . I have printed both versions on expired Fomatone MG, together with the rest of the series. I still need to think about which one I prefer more...but on the end it is not like I will exhibit them or something, so no rush there.

Short explanation of the workflow : I am often on a business trips in different countries, and all photos that I can take are on my way to the work - while in the car. So most of the photos are through the windows in a moving car.

Rest of the series from last Kinshasa trip, if somebody is interested to take a look:

It's worth saying that all these images are great, but be careful not to get hurt while shooting while driving!