Lights on or lights off?

[phillipb]

Simple question, which of these two photos is better, the first with the lights off or the second?

[leek]

#2 looks better to me... Are those really the lights? or is it PP... I noticed that the clowds hadn't moved between the 2 shots...

[wendellt]

lights off
less distracting and it makes sense it isn't exactly dark.

is this a composite image? it looks very stylish very well done.

[sheepie]

on - great pic!

[phillipb]

Sorry to lead you astray guys, I really wanted to see if the PP on the lights was very obviously fake. I should have known that you would have picked up on the fact that it's the same photo.
I was happy the way the first turned out, but everytime I looked at it I couldn't help feeling that I should have turned the headlights on. So I tried it with PP.

[NikonUser]

On I think:

In the first image my eyes are first drawn to the sky and then down to the car

In the second my eyes go to the lights and the car first.

Both pics look very nice though!!

Paul

[Matt. K]

Off...or on. Maybe the little lights down near the bumper might be better on?

[TonyH]

I believe the lights on reflects more the overall lightness of the shot......

[nito]

lights on adds cats eyes to the car. Much better for the mood of the shot.

Nice car btw.

[phillipb]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile driving down to the southern highlands again to try and replicate the shot with the real lights on.

[PiroStitch]

I prefer off and the gradiated orange doesn't help the tree Maybe try multiply or overlay for the gradient layer.

The yellow headlights look too much like transformers for me...err cartoon not electrical

[kipper]

Phillip.....this shot could be so much better

Seriously I think it has the elements to be a good shot.

1) As already mentioned the graduated sky shouldn't affect the tree so you'll need to do a bit more PP around that

2) Make sure all lights that come on with the light switch are on

3) Make sure all necessarily reflections on the car exhibit the lights being on

4) Can you retake the image as I'd like to see the tall tree to the left of the car not cutting through the car

Edit:

5) Can you retake it with a better angle of the road so it shows you where the car is coming from

[MCWB]

The yellow headlights look too much like transformers for me...err cartoon not electrical

Optimus Prime represent!

In the context of this comparison the lights do look a bit fake, but if you'd shown just the "lights on" pic by itself I'm not sure I'd have picked it. Regardless, the sky just looks bizarre for mine, do you have one with unadulterated sky?

[phillipb]

Here is the original, complete with humangus dust bunny.

[MCWB]

Have to say, I actually quite like the sky in the original Phillip! Maybe just some more saturation in the blue colour and the sky's a winner IMO (apart from the DB of course).

[Catcha]

First one would be my pick, nice shot BTW

[flipfrog]

nice image!
i think it looks like its str8 from a magazine

my only complaint is the underexposed area in the front of the car, the orig is not as bad tho.....

[the foto fanatic]

I prefer lights on, but I agree with kipper. The shot would be beter without the tree growing out of the car.

[cordy]

I think lights on too, it draws more attention to the car

Chris

[shutterbug]

Lights off for me. Love the background colour and trees.

Its more fun in the dark

[nat]

my 2 cents worth......lights on.

I picked the fake lights straight away, but think they make a statement. (I did find the sky a bit distracting 'though.)

I have to say that it is quite interesting to read other peoples take on this one. Thanks.