[teddyfingers]

These are from nicaragua. A picture of a friend. Which one do you like better? Thanks for the input.

Teddy

[matthew]

The first.

The framing and the pose are better in the first, and the tree in the background adds better balance. I don't particularly like the headphones being so prominent in the second; if this is a key expression of your friend's personality, this may not be a problem. The less prominent headphones of the first image adds a detail to surprise the careful viewer, and it adds a modern note that locates this image in time. If you were looking for classical, that's bad, but I like the quirkiness.

Were you using auto white balance? The colours are slightly different. The first photo has a darker exposure, giving richer greens, but I'm not sure that's all it is.

[Petographer]

#1, nice tones and the fella's pose is relaxing. It looks as though he's really taking in the landscape and loving his surroundings. The composure is much better her than in image 2.

#2, is a much better shot of the countryside but what bothers me is the way he appears to be focused on something in particular. The mood is lost that he shows in #1. Compositionally it isn't as good as #. The tone of the image seems a little flat and in need of some contrast.

Now, if you wanted to cheat. Hope you don't mind Teddy.

[shuttertalk]

Great image with #1, Teddy. The composition is spot on, and I love the sense of relaxation and peace. Almost like a "wish I could be there" pic.

Only criticism would be that the bush in the top is competing as a subject in the frame - would be good if you could clone it out or something...

[teddyfingers]

I don't mind pete. He isn't possing. I saw him sitting their and snapped of a few shots. We had just climbed up this small mountain to get to this place and pray with one of the local churches. Being that I am from flat land it was quite a climb. It was a good moment for him to have a few moments of quiet time. Seeing as we didn't have much time for it on the trip. I prefer to get people as they are as opposed to having people pose.

[teddyfingers]

Forgot to say thanks for your comments.

Teddy

[adam]

I also prefer to get people as they are, but you can change the look of how they are a lot, by the angle and position which it's taken, but sometimes it's difficult getting around to another side.

[Don Schaeffer]

I like #1. The central location of the figure in #2 is too static.

I increased the curviness of the scenary and the contrast. You may find this to be too much.

[Peted]

I really like #2 as it is, gives a sense of "hugeness" and distance. The colour does look a little soft but I was not there so it could have been just like that!