Cross Pictures...

[Sueleoash]

So a church member asked me to take a picture of our cross on the hill by our church for our prayer/baby cry room. I have some nature shots in there already. I shot these tonight and was wondering which one you like best of the three (or if you like any at all, lol!) I asked my husband and kids but they all picked different ones, go figure! Thanks all!

[wleebrown]

Sue,

Nice pictures ... I'm assuming the sun colors transitions aren't smoother on my monitor because of low-res internet posts ... assuming that the colors actually transition more smoothly I like number 1 the best. I'd actually have a harder time choosing between 1 and 3 if the flowers were in front of the cross in 3 rather than behind. I'm sure your church would probably be very happy with any of the three though.

Blessings,
Lee

[Bruce Painter]

Sue,
I like the first one best but I think I would crop from the top to remove the gray part of the sky so that the color carries all the way to the top.

Bruce

[NikNikon]

I was going to say #1 but after looking at them again #2 is the best in my eyes. The transition from cool to warm is very pleasing. Also it seems to be the one with the least amount of noise, #3 has quite a bit of artifacting.

[El Hacko]

#1 gets mine..I like the offset of the cross in the shot and the fact it's not centered. The lower sun adn the color of the sky appeals to me more than image #2.
#3 looks like it has too much noise or was overprocessed. It doesnt appeal much in compostion either.

[rbritt1268]

I had a tough time deciding between #1 and #2. #3 just has too much noise to print properly and it was to dark when you took the shot causing a high level of contrast between the cross and the ground around it. I like the color transition in #2 but the flair from the sun (imho) detracts from the shot. I really like the warm reds and oranges in #1 and I also like the halo effect that was captured from the sun.
#2 could work if you really punch up the saturation and increase the blue and a bit of contrast(like in the attached). I still might try to clone out the flair.
So all said I vote for #2.

[Gramper]

I like #one the best. The composition just feels better balanced to me.

[Sueleoash]

Thanks everyone, that's very helpful! And thanks Bob for playing with #2, I like it!

Susan

[cox]

I agree on #2, with some releveling, and a crop if possible. I like the sun & cross together, and the colors, but I think you could afford to lose some of the empty space. If you can't crop, maybe reshoot with a longer lens, or zoom with your feet if possible.

[wcrosman]

Esthetically speaking I like number 2. The sun's aura is capturing the cross. Possible symbolism here.

[PicTaker]

I like them,nice pictures.