Just Chillin'

[Runmonty]

I am having trouble deciding between 2 versions of an image and would appreciate any thoughts or comments.

[theantiquetiger]

I really can't decide either, but I am leaning toward the second one because of the softer colors (I would say even something 1/2 way between the two)

[Runmonty]

Thanks AT - This one is between the 2 and also lightened a little

[Marko]

I like the second one as well. 3rd one seems to be a good compromise.
Since you are okay w/critique, The main subject is pretty far from us here and this makes it much harder to feel the chill factor imo.
I would have zoomed in more (40-50%) on this one but i don't recall what lenses you have.
Hope it may help.

[Runmonty]

Thanks Marko that is great - I am here to both share and learn so please dont ever hold back on a critique (I also have pretty thick skin and not easily offended).
I did actually take a shot zoomed in further, but that one was too close and lost the frame of the trees (that I like). I will have go at cropping in Photoshop and see what I come up with.

[Matt K.]

Well, I wanna be different. To me the first one is the stronger image. Seems to tell more of the story this way. The colour in the water is great, this gets lost in the softer image. I also like the way the sun creates the illuminated spot. Much stronger in the first image than the second. But that's just me ...

[Runmonty]

Thanks Matt. I think you have articluated the reason for my initial indecision. The light and bright shirt were supposed to draw the attention to the person, and it is lost a bit in the desaturated versions