Last week I shared a couple shots of a Sanderling on the Lake Michigan shoreline. During post-processing back home I created two versions of the same shot. The first shot was cropped to show more of Lake Michigan in the background and the second shot was cropped to show more of the sand on the beach. I asked which one did you prefer.
Responses were split 50/50 with half preferred more Lake Michigan displayed and the other half liked the sand more. Some who preferred the “more lake” shot said that the sand distracted the viewers’ eye from the bird or just liked seeing the water more.
For myself, I liked the “more beach” version. Although the lake water is pleasing, it doesn’t hold my interest. I find that seeing the sand in the foreground is interesting as there are lots of pebbles and pieces of shells to look at. It adds interest to a picture in which the bird is rather blah. You still get the water in the background, but I just don’t find it as interesting as the beach.
A. More Lake Michigan
B. More Beach
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