Which of these two images would you print and frame as a gift for the subjects?

[kermaier]

No doubt: #2, cropped square.
::Ari

Edit: Or at least burn down that distracting bit of bright sky in the upper right corner.

 

[Silva Lining]

Number 1 for me!

( You could always frame both and let the decide ?)

 

[Jungle Jim]

I agree with Dave and Warren. Photo number 2 is very warm, with the husband giving his wife a loving glance. For a couple who have spent their lifetimes together, this photo tells the story of his love for her, imho. The wife in number two is also looking directly into the camera instead of "away", which would be distracting.

In most cases, when picking out portraits, it's the woman who does the "choosing" and they will pick the pictures that show them in the most flattering pose. Us men just pretty much go with whatever wifey wants, LOL!

Best Wishes and all the best for the wonderful couple!

 

[Kevin]

That's perfect!

Maybe it doesn't have to be square for the crop to remove the distraction of the hand ... what do you think?

 

[pevelg]

I still personally like #2, though your crop of #1 improves that photo. As to which one to give, I have not the foggiest.

 

[dfoo]

#2. In #1 she's not look at the camera which to me is distracting.

 

[dfoo]

Btw, 87! Wow he looks healthy as a horse!

 

[Elektrojänis]

I'd crop them both square, and then put them in the same frame. I think number 1 should be left and number 2 on the right.

I like number 1 more and cropping it might not make it better by itself, but I think when combined and cropped to the same format could make the combination kind of "even stronger than the sum of its parts". It would show more sides of them than only one image.

Finding a suitable frame might be difficult, but you can probably get something made for the purpose.

 

[Becoming]

Number two, uncropped.

It's perfect.

 

[pakeha]

Both good Keith, and pros and cons with each , emotionally, arty and tech. For me it came down to Doreen`s arm in number 1.
Poll looks convincing so far, but hey, the majority are not always right.

 

[bawang]

Both are good.

I would go for number 2. The picture will probably remind him of that wonderful image of the lady as he sees it there and then.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Frame and give them both. They are both good, each has strong points. And if they have family, the pictures will be cherished for a long time.

Life's too short.

 

[snausages]

Agreed with Brian. I'd give all three, framed or not. The crotch grab is too great not to be passed on to future generations...

 

[crawdiddy]

Keith, you can be proud of both images-- they are wonderful. Personally I like the emotional content of #2. Is there sadness implied? Of course. What's wrong with that? As a portrait photographer, you hope to capture emotion as well as you have.

Give them both, as each has merit. But #2 is clearly the winner.

 

[Jack917]

Wow, great images. And everyone has good points, I can't decide between the two.

Another option - what about the crotch shot, but cropped to omit the grab? Might just look like she's reaching to hold his hand. It's a happy shot in which both are engaged with the camera. It'll be appropriate for conservative friends, but with a hidden story behind the picture.

 

[FrankS]

Give them both. And add a third (the "grab photo") 🙂

I say all three, and I haven't even seen the third. Do not edit/ hold anything back from them.

I was in a similar situation, taking a portrait of an elderly couple where the wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She was teaching him how to do things in order to get along once she was gone. I met her again at a supermarket in town a few weeks later and asked her how things were going, and she replied that god had mixed up the order and taken him first.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Sweet gift, Keith. They'll enjoy it a lot, and their family... Hope she feels better soon...



I'm amazed at the answers here...


There is no discussion, and I even showed it to other two friends who shoot portraits.


Number one. Not cropped.


The second shot is deeply sad: she looks tired, bored, and she's not happy being there.


Looking or not to camera has no importance at all in any photograph.


Even though he looks happier than her, in the first shot her face just says “old”, but the space (nature) and the happiness of the man with her, give the whole image a strong feeling of real trust and a well enjoyed life for both while being together.


The second one tells me he was feeling OK and she felt terrible.


Apart from all this, he looks a lot better in the first one, because if you are happy you don't look at what happens to who's at your side: you just smile careless like he does in the first shot.


Hope she enjoys the print, very kind from you.


Personally, I wouldn't frame two images, “unique” is stronger... Certainly I would do (family) more than one print of the same frame.


Cheers,


Juan

P.S.: I just checked them again, scrolling quickly up and down: both heads are strongly vertical like healthy branches on a tree on the first one, but on the second one their heads are "falling": the moment had just passed...

 

[Ducky]

Can't read too much into the photos without knowing the people and how she normaly holds her face. I like #2.

 

[robinsonphotography]

I'm not the majority here, but for me number 1 was the clear winner for a gift.

For my own purposes? I like #2 more....there is more emotion. But I see some sadness, and people don't usually like to frame sadness and have it on their walls.

And, of course, the grab is the best of all 3 in my opinion--love that one. So, I'd give the grab and #1....or all 3. Really can't go wrong though, great captures. But for me, the sadness in two, even if the look from him is better, combined with the better crop on 1, makes it seem clear to me.

Best,

Evan

 

[ruby.monkey]

Having finally seen the third shot... how about a triptych with these two shots flanking the grab?