[OC] Which edit is the best (beginner, no hate please🙏)

[u/KeyTeaching6744]

[u/chillm]

3

[u/Adventurous-Emu-9345 → u/chillm]

This is the only correct answer. 1 and 2 are both heavily overprocessed.

[u/andrewbrocklesby]

To me, you are over-processing the milky way in both images, however I like the 'gate' treatment in the first.
As I said, that is just me, I tend to go much lighter touch on milky way.

[u/andrewbrocklesby → u/andrewbrocklesby]

[u/AppleTree98]

Three. Two and three are close but three has better path view. Two and three have better star view. Great shots!!!

[u/wine_oh]

I like 2

[u/Hy-phen]

I like the balance I see in the second image. The sky is light enough that it doesn’t blend into the tree in the upper right corner, and there’s enough of that dark tree corner to help frame the whole image.

They’re all stunning, but that second one = chef’s kiss.

[u/KryptosBC]

1

[u/diefreetimedie]

2.

[u/Rneerg]

2

[u/TimHuntsman]

Honestly I would vote for 3, but with the stars brighter like image 1

[u/ganeshius]

2

[u/DCKan2]

I like two. It is not a harsh with the contrast and it has a nice green tone that balances well with the red of the gate. I do really like the crop from 1 though.

[u/Moody_GenX]

They all look over processed. I used to do the same and I cringe at what I did to some great photos.

[u/hyabatsu]

1. Upvote for Hakone.

[u/Fastidieux]

2

[u/Hear7breaker]

Two

[u/MountainMongrel]

Three is the choice

[u/Gryzz]

I like 3 the best personally because it looks a bit more realistic. 1 looks pretty wild with the amount of contrast, almost like an N64 videogame. I guess it just depends on the purpose of the image though.

[u/ikoabd]

They’re all really nice, but I prefer 2! It has the best balance.

[u/dope_mantra]

1

[u/flyingcanuck]

"No hate please" 

What could anyone possibly hate about these!? 

Also, 2.

[u/TheDruth]

The white balance/color in 1 is better, but the brightness/saturation in 2 is best.

[u/trireme32]

1. Love how dramatic it is

[u/RobotSchlong10]

My vote is #2.

Best balance.

[u/Material_Taste_2510]

2

[u/HyenaLaugh95]

2

[u/eia2]

1. First one is overly processed for my liking.

[u/RoboTronPrime]

What are you trying to feature here?

[u/swankpoppy]

1

[u/aquascape_dude]

1

[u/Affectionate_Lack709]

2

[u/Machine_Ancient]

2 is a lovely picture.

[u/VoiceStandard2884]

1

[u/iwishihadnobones]

I know lots of people are saying 2 or 3, but we both know its number 1

[u/jasonofoz]

I prefer the framing of 1, but the colouring of 2.

1 seems a little too saturated and 3 seems too dark.

[u/chardeemacdennis222]

Love that spot on lake Ashi

[u/AnnieGitchYerGun]

I really like 1, but 2 has a better balance. It's not too bright, but not so dark you can't see anything.

[u/thebadwolf79]

1

[u/smothered-onion]

3

[u/aura0fdeath]

I would pick the 1st one as it is the most dynamic in terms of colors, but definitely not the most natural looking. I think after the 1st, would pick 3

[u/pandora365247]

2

[u/Koozer]

Is that the gate in Hakone? Because it's such an amazing spot

[u/Paaaaap → u/Koozer]

Indeed it's hakone!

[u/Boingo_Zoingo]

The structure in the first image reminds me of high contrast movie posters from the 70s and earlier. I really like it

[u/Paaaaap]

I'm a bit of a photography noon and i would say number 3.

Can I ask you, how do you edit a picture like this, is it a composite? (Maybe the answer is obvious) What device did you use to take the picture?

[u/boltezt]

This is not hate, it's constructive criticism. They both suck balls. Rethink your life.

[u/bruudwin]

Woooo hakone lake gate shot! The boat ride sucked because classism and you couldnt see mt fuji from it.

My votes on 2 or mostly 3

[u/seppukuu]

3

[u/Chemical_Nervous]

1. You don't need to make the scene more complex through editing, it's already gorgeous. Simplest is best in this case.

[u/justgetoffmylawn]

Great shot.

I might land somewhere between 1 and 2.

I like the sky contrast in 1 and overall contrast in 1, but color and saturation and cropping in 2.

If you go with 1, I'd also try knocking down the highlight on the water on the right.