Silhouette...

[evoryware]

These were not taken in the challenge period, but I'm planning to work off of them. Someone enjoying the view of Manhattan...
http://evosphotos.smugmug.com/photos/91108500-L-4.jpg
and a doorman looking outdoors...
http://evosphotos.smugmug.com/photos/108346727-L.jpg

Which one is better to work off of?

[truth]

Unless they were taken in the last 24 hours I'd say neither one.

[evoryware]

:scratch Maybe I phrased it wrong...
I know, that's why I said they weren't taken in the challenge period. I'm not planning on trying to enter these. I just want to know which idea is better to expand upon...

[TomaS]

Easy choice for me - the first one.

[truth]

:scratch Maybe I phrased it wrong...
I know, that's why I said they weren't taken in the challenge period. I'm not planning on trying to enter these. I just want to know which idea is better to expand upon...

My bad.

They both feel similar. The doorman to me tells more of a story though I think he needs to be framed without as many dark object protruding from his silhouette. The first image suffers because the silhouette has some motion blur.

[Richard]

:scratch Maybe I phrased it wrong...
I know, that's why I said they weren't taken in the challenge period. I'm not planning on trying to enter these. I just want to know which idea is better to expand upon...

I think the first one has more potential to be dramatic, but it will be more difficult to execute. Lighting is the key here.

Regards,

[evoryware]

:D Thanks for the responses.
That first one was one of the first night pictures I took with my XT and the girl just happened to walk into the picture as the timer counted down to 0. First I was upset, then I looked on the LCD right before I deleted it and thought it was interesting. I have a better tripod and lens now so I think I can do it better.

[Tommyboy]

What's striking about these, to me, is the motion-blur in the silhouetted subject. Normally a silhouette is especially crisp, if for no other reason than the perceived contrast. They're both really interesting. I would love the second, but the door frames detract somehow.

[nalvarez]

I think both pictures, if cleaned up, would make for great shots. The blurry silhouette in both pictures is distracting, yet each one has great potential to be dramatic with the great background.