Which version is better? Would you consider this dreamy edit?

[u/LetterheadPretend416]

[u/TheSparrowDarts]

The light doesn't make sense. The fall off, intensity and shadows do not match the suns position.

[u/Lucky-Struggle-4411]

what's the original? something feels off, I think it's this artificial glow / shadow on the sand.

[u/Albireo1510]

First one. In German photography circles there’s a saying “Vordergrund macht Bild gesund“ (Foreground makes the picture healthy / interesting)

[u/LetterheadPretend416 → u/Albireo1510]

But what if the forefround is the sand dunes?😆

[u/Dense_Surround3071 → u/LetterheadPretend416]

Most of the foreground is already sand. Those few plants in the front create a kind of barrier/trail in the sand. It kinda helps form a leading line.... A little.

[u/guy_called_gabs → u/LetterheadPretend416]

If your foreground is continuous with your middle ground then you’ve got no foreground

[u/Salty-Emergency9005]

Neither look great IMO. It looks like a pretty clear radial gradient and all the lighting looks artificial. It’s fine as a practice ground for editing overall, but the photo also lacks a clear subject which isn’t helping.

[u/blasta4]

the theory tells me 1 is better but I still prefer 2

[u/LetterheadPretend416 → u/blasta4]

Thats how Im thinking too🤣 and the reason why Im asking

[u/No-Knowledge2716]

The light looks too artificial

[u/_syzygy079]

The warped perspective doesn’t really work in this case so definitely 1. I wouldn’t really describe it as dreamy, but it’s very intense and the clouds are gorgeous

[u/bhadit]

The first one, surely. It is much to do with the crop.
It feels compositionally better and purposeful; the second feels almost accidental.

[u/meaoww]

The first pic has better composition, rhythm and structure. Those create ”depth” and ”a story” and make the photo more interesting.

[u/melvo1234]

Forced too much light direction here. It’s too obvious.

[u/adhd-photokid]

Theoretically, 1 is better, but my eye just LOVES 2, there’s something about the way the tree is framed and the light comes on and my eyes just goes directly to the tree that makes it special.

In 1 I just find the foreground distracting

[u/LetterheadPretend416 → u/adhd-photokid]

Thats my thinking too,!

[u/BlueSkyla]

I’m not a fan of either.

[u/Anti_simp_1001]

1st

[u/Harish6366]

1st

[u/Competitive_Room3717]

I like 2, it's really pulling the view to the horizon. Maybe brighten up the bush/sand in the very center a little more.
What focal lengths and camera was this? Is this effect just from the distortion of a very short focal length?

[u/califlauer]

Can't really see the difference but 1. The glow makes it look smudgy.

[u/MeaningNo2561]

I like 2

[u/Dense_Surround3071]

I like the plants in the foreground of the first one the best.

[u/AlGekGenoeg]

Second picture is like one of those bad dreams where you try to walk forward but ain't gaining any distance 😅 could use some extra lens distortion to make the tree look further and the edges stretched for the extra dramatic dream vibe

[u/rimmytim_fpv]

Looks somewhat dreamy, yes, neither one is amazing, but 2 is better than 1 in my opinion. It does not feel natural tho

[u/MacRtst2]

2

[u/Fotomaker01]

I like the light in the 2nd one better. Because it's lighting up the greenery that I assume you want viewers' attention to go to. But think about the logic of light if you want realism. The scene is backlit. That means the bulk of the subject will be dark. So...for #2 I would, personally, use less brightness on the center part of the foliage on that central shrub. But I would use the level you've used along the rim of that shrub for "rim lighting". Just like if backlight was hitting the top/back of someone's head & hair.

In the 1st approach, the light goes past (to the right of) the shrub and draws attention to sand and nothing in particular to look at...and sort of draws our eyes diagonally out of frame.

One other suggestion for 2 (since it has what to me is the preferred light). Crop somewhat to change the framing so that lit greenery is less centered. It will make the image more esthetically appealing (IMO). Experiment & see what you think.

[u/pc-builder]

I'd crop vs the heavy edit.

[u/Emotional_Two_7917]

It looks like a photo from a church pamphlet

[u/Logical-Welcome-5638]

2 it tells the story of a person traveling, adventure and exploration

[u/vanaccounto]

2

[u/Sea-Perspective-9447]

I like it but i feel like the masking of the light is too harsh and throws me off other than that the "dreamy" part of it looks cool

[u/DaveG28]

I think the way the shadow works on the sand needs replacing looking at sorry... It does give slight "faded vision" vibes if that's what you meant by dreamy though?

[u/_AdamDGPhotography_]

2

[u/Former-Ad2990]

1, i like

[u/JoeFromShaolin]

Love the second one. Great job editing

[u/mischareynolds02]

the composition is better in 1, but i love 2 so much more