Straight or kinky ?

[susaan]

Please tell me which you prefer and why.

[MB1]

Use the calm image, I find the second image much harder to look at.

Nice catch and composition BTW.

[Frog]

I agree that I prefer looking at the first one. Nicely done!

[susaan]

Thank you,MB1 and Frog,

Today the light was harsher than I realized,overcast but bright,so only the shots involving strong shadows worked at all.

[xystren]

I would have to go with the first one also.

I'm gathering that the "kinky" was added in during post processing. I like the idea of the effect, but to me, it just doesn't seem consistent on how a ripple or wind effect would look on water. Just my humble opinion.

I agree with MB1 on the composition, a very nice capture.

[SmartWombat]

Straight.
I'm interested in what's causing those ripples though

[susaan]

Taa xystren and Smart Wombat,

-The ripples ARE just wind on the water,no pp other than a little sharpening.It IS strange the reflection of the dragonfly is not kinky,too.

The spikey plant is the top of a palm tree,taken in a fish pond,maybe 2 foot deep, its linked into the rice fields by channels and dams,(On which I am precariously perched) -constantly moving.
(All the gray water from our houses get re-cycled into it-a system hundreds of years old-cleaned by the sun,which is strong enough to sterilize),

These shots have another in between them was not usable,from movement blur,
-I'm learning how to bracket,and limited to the harsher light around noon,this week,so trying out shadow shots.

[Greg McCary]

I agree with MB. It is just easier on the eyes.