taken with the EFS 17-85mm f/4-5.6 lens
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 400

taken with the 50mm f1.8 lens
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 320

Which do you like better, and why?

I think I like the first one better cause of the pretty colors, but the 2nd one shows the camera much better. My normal camera could take a simillar picture for the 1st one, not as good... but the second one it def couldn't compare.

The first one. Okay, why. Hmmmm. I think I like the angle, full frontal, and the sort of syrupy drops of rain on the leaves and petals.

I like them both, but I like the first one better because I like the ruffle effect of the pedals. My favorite one of the pics you took yesterday is one of a yellow rose. Of course!

While the first one is very beautiful.....I like the second better.

Showing the layers of petals is an interesting angle.....and the blush color on the petals is gorgeous!

Both shots are not the same flower - are they?

Gosh that is a hard choice. If I was going to pick one to hang on my wall I would pick the top one for the reasons that MB and Mel said but I think that Gofy girl gave for chooseing #2 are complelling. If you are looking to show an amazing shot of a flower I vote #1 if you are looking to show photographic skill I vote #2.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the second one. For four reasons.

1) It's a good perspective and shows the shape of the rose as it's unfolded - a better impression all round.

2) The raindrop looks more elegant on the second shot and looks more natural than the first.

3) The DOF is amazing on the second. Gives a sharpness to the rose that makes it pop.

4) The graduating colours on the petals give an elegant warmth to the overall composition and the light is perfect.

You can almost touch that rose in the second shot - it's a beauty!

The first one show the graduation of the color of the rose but it fakes you out cause the wee little bug is stealing the show.

Stopping by to say hello....

They are both simply glorious, yet, I am very fond of the lower photo because it is less revealing and thus offers more of a mystery. I know that the upper rose is looking at the photographer. I have no idea what the lower rose is looking at - and I am quite fond of not knowing.

Is this odd reasoning? Of course it is. Did you expect me to not have odd reasoning? No, I didn't think so.

That said, they are both very beautiful.

I agree with Leigh.

The second picture is slightly off center which gives the flower more interest. The focus is clearly on the flower and the backgrounds does just what it's supposed to- it fades into the background in a pleasant blur. The water droplets show better, as does the graduation of colour on the rose.

What kind of rose is that anyway? It's lovely. :) (BTW you were just on one of my sites commenting on the roses so I had to come over here and see what you had. :))

I wish I could magically combine parts of both of them! :-)

I love the colors of the rose in the first one, but if forced to choose a favorite I'd have to go with the second one. I like the shape of the rose and the overall composition more in the second photo, and I prefer the contrast between rose and background in that one as well.

Also the bug bugs me (heh) in the first photo. In the second one it's in a location where it acts as an accent, but in the first one, it's so close to the center of the flower that I find it really distratcting.

I like the second one better, since you asked. Just because it's a different angle, and not one that you see a lot.

But how did you get the little bee to pose for BOTH of them?

I like the second one best, maybe its because of the bug on the first one. Both are beautiful, as are the colors on that flower. Amazing. Great pics!

Wait, I forgot to mention in the first picture the two drop of rain on the leaf that are just about to fall on the rose. Maybe if I check back in a few hours they will have dropped!

the second one. the flower is sharper and there's something about seeing it from the side, not head on. does it sound too plebeian of me if i say it's purdy?

I really like the 2nd shot.
The colours are softer and shine against the dark green of the leaves.
The water drop looks so real you could touch it, and I find each time I look at it I tilt me head to the right to see what Im missing outside your lens.
Makes me wish I could take pictures as good as this one :)

While they are both very nice, I like the second shot much better. I think it's a much more interesting angle and perspective for the reasons the Leigh articulated so well...............:-)

I like the second one better too...(although both are pretty). I think that the reason I like the second one better is because the way the water droplets are on the side of the rose...where in the upper one...the waterdroplets on the leaves in the upper left corner distract me.