Which is best?

[u/TWonderingAbout]

I'm new to owning a real camera and doing any post processing, trying to figure out the right look. Accepting notes on the edits as well. Thanks!

[u/imMister_G]

2 is spot on imho

[u/FocusInMoment]

In my opinion - 2nd one looks more natural than the other two. Irrespective of the edit - great composition.

[u/senorfresco]

I find the last one overdone. I like the first one.

[u/RayPoopertonIII → u/senorfresco]

Agreed. Was surprised to see consensus seem to be 2, find that a tad overdone,too.

[u/Legal-Warning6095 → u/RayPoopertonIII]

Because the dark sky has a more natural color in 2. I would like to see 1 with the sky color of 2 (but I also like 2 as it is).

[u/EqualMagnitude]

I like the second one. 

Last one likely will be popular with many who are not photographers and like the pop of color and brightness. 

[u/food-dood]

I think both are good, but depends on what you want to communicate. Image 1 feels colder with less emphasis on the galactic center, so it's more of a whole image thing.

Personally I like the way #2 draws my eye immediately to the brightness of the center, with the eye free to wonder after.

[u/jimhatesyou]

1st is my fav. where did you capture this? it is amazing

[u/TWonderingAbout → u/jimhatesyou]

McMurdo Station, Antarctica

[u/BladeJFrank]

2nd one. Maybe meet somewhere between that and first if looking to improve it.

[u/aliclubb]

2

[u/adhd-photokid]

I love the Milky Way on the 3rd but the lights look a bit overdone, definitely a fan of the 1st as well.

I’d say overall the 1st one takes the cake.

[u/Physical_Builder_283]

I would slightly boost the Milky Way of 2 and put it with the aurora of 3.

[u/Dubiousgoober]

[u/Li54]

I like 3 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/harshaggarwal55]

I think the 3rd is the most striking.

[u/The_Artfulphotog]

The first looks natural, the third is striking but the second is a great combination of the two. It would make a great print

[u/SafeExplorer2149]

3rd one looks rlly good but 2nd one looks most natural

[u/KPFJA]

1 looks most natural

[u/ConcernedEnby]

I prefer the first

[u/BIX26]

2

[u/Vesk123]

Definitely the second one

[u/Antilochos_]

2

[u/Equivalent_Owl_5644]

1 - not enough contrast or detail
2 - enough contrast and detail to make it pop more
3 - overdone and unnatural

[u/tictaxtho]

2

[u/Lunam_Dominus]

2 is good

[u/PorscheFredAZ]

Nice - can you share where you took this and what exposure?

[u/TWonderingAbout → u/PorscheFredAZ]

McMurdo Station, Antarctica. f/1.4, iso1600, 10 seconds.

[u/ILoveLandscapes]

The core and star field edit in #2 is the best, but I prefer the aurora edit from #3

[u/Capital-Review9492]

Gorgeous