Competition alternative

Don't know if etiquette allows me to post alternatives before the competition is judged, If not, could a moderator shift this thread, please?

I had three options to post in the comp. so I entered one and thought I'd get C&C on the others.
So, let me know what you think.

[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i296/Father_Ted/PHOTOS/agoodread.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i296/Father_Ted/PHOTOS/agoodread2.jpg[/IMG]

the top one has beautiful rich tones and colours - very attractive.
The title 'Macbeth' is in an optimum position compositionally, but it is out of focus. The symmetrical composition gives a feeling of calm and peace, I don't know if that's what you wanted but it would be ideal for a Bible.
The second one is potentially a more striking composition but the depth of field is a little too narrow I think.

Nice tho', lots of potential. Nice lighting, I quite like the shadow down the page but others might find it distracting I suspect. Maybe you could make more of this and use it to highlight the title or something. How about a goblet out of shot casting a shadow across the book.

It's funny you should say about the Bible, as I first shot it with a Bible, but this book was larger and the pages sat better.

Fair point on the focus, I had real difficulties focusing as the room was quite dark to give the lighting effect I wanted.

I've got to say, though, 12 months ago I wouldn't have even considered taking these sort of photographs, landscape is what I was thinking of when I bought my camera, but I really enjoyed playing around and setting these up.

Like the first one, the second one I would like to have seen the Macbeth sharp, lighting and composition are nice..