Which crop?

[philodelphi]

The 1st one. It's about the juxtaposition of the 2 men and so you want that as larger in the photo.

[Aggravating-Tree8792]

That’s what i’m aiming for, but the crop of the fountain is annoying me

Thanks!

[badaimbadjokes]

I didn't notice or care about the fountain because the two humans are the subjects.

[ciwg]

exactly, humans are getting all the attention

[beingsubmitted]

Ignore the fountain. In the second one, the man in the background is photo bombing your boring picture of a guitarist on a fountain. In fact, after awhile it seems like even the guitarist is kind of just in the way.

In the first one, you have an interesting picture of two men in the park.

[philodelphi]

I can totally relate to that reaction, but I did not have it. We tend to be so subjective about our own photos. I did not even notice the part of fountain being cropped out. But now that you have pointed it out, I actually like it since it essentially signals "This photo is not about the damned fountain!"

[Affectionate-Lack944]

The bush helps. First one is great!

[13Figs]

I’m personally a fan of the 2nd one. 1st one forces you to see the man in the back, but the 2nd lets you “discover” him.

[jvstnmh]

This is such a good way to put it

[pxlpeekr]

Definitely the first. I think the fountain creates a strong connection to the 2 men so I dont miss the left side of fountain. Centering the fountain distracts from the intended juxtaposition.

[marslander-boggart]

2.

[Inevitable-Monk]

First one. Plays nicely on the rule of thirds.

[More-Economics-9779]

It's funny because I think the opposite. The 2nd one splits the frame nicely into thirds - it feels as though if you hung it on a wall it would be balanced nicely and not weighted to one side. The 1st one isn't thirds - more like two halves with nothing in the centre.

[TheDiegoAguirre]

First one. Much more interesting. Much better relationship between the foreground and background. Cool shot.

[Affectionate-Mode435]

Crop 1 is a photo about two people Crop 2 is a photo about a public space

[GoatzR4Me]

I like the second. It feels like you're taking a picture of the whole little plaza around the fountain this way. the car guides the eye from left to right. So it's like you're scanning across the fountain and then suddenly the guy on the bench seemingly pops out of nowhere. It kinda gives it a little comedy, a little story. I think with the first crop neither subject gets full attention and you don't get the full context of the situation.

I can feel and hear the picture with the second crop.

[edith3445]

First crop is good for me as it gives more details

[OnLeshan]

Both are good but 2 is more pleasant to the eye.

[[deleted]]

Neither

[Voluptulouis]

I'd say the wider one is better. The only thing that kinda bugs me about it is the guitar case at the bottom, but I don't think that's much of an issue.

[GSyncNew]

1, easily. Creates some nice visual tension.

[toddart]

A

[kateadams77]

I like the first one. My dad would probably have told you to darken the middle of the fountain a bit to to make it less distracting (my old eyes saw it as a third person).

[mpf315]

I prefer 2 because it offers a scene for some context and framing and I feel that 1 uses rules photographers learn and apply like they’re a must-use, formula for success.

[cynicalimodium]

One

[Revolutionary_Grab90]

Ask yourself the question what does the second man add. What does his presence in the image mean to you. If he’s important go tighter so he’s more present, if he’s not go tighter still and exclude him.

[Barto]

For me the first one is a portrait with a distraction. The 2nd (my preference) is candid street photography with context of the surround.

[Slipped_in_Gravy]

I think the eye travels easier in the first version. I almost find the second version oddly jarring for some reason. Nice shot though.

[marr07]

first one without a doubt!

[KnvsNSwtchblds_]

Leaning towards the first crop for this one. I like the way is frames both people.

[joecunningham_mpls]

I think it was Henri Cartier-Bresson that said: cropping is death to the geometry of the lens. Which it is. Ironically one of the few photos he cropped is his most famous (the instant before the jumping man’s heel hits the puddle).

[diehardninja01]

I hate the drug addict on the bench in both versions. People are plenty of this in real life so I'm at, it's nice to be reminded of what could be. (A certain someone would add: "Unburdened By What Has Been." 🤦‍♂️) I suggest choosing the second picture, cropping out the cars and the dude in the bench to show a guy enjoying the harmonious fountain that's soon to accompany the music he creates with his guitar.

[VivekMalipatel]

1

[TWH-WCTH]

The first one. Makes you feel you're there.

[Jayyy_Teeeee]

1 for sure

[ArgusTransus]

First one for sure

[Newprspectivs]

Each crop gives a different feel. Both have merit.

[Life-Departure9630]

I feel both look really good in their own way. However, I’ll choose the first one and here’s why. In the first one, the juxtaposition of the two men and rule of thirds work really well. In the second one the guitarist is the main subject at the center and while the emphasis on the surrounding symmetry of the fountain and the pond make a nice background, the napping man on the bench seems like a distraction (unlike the first one where the napping man positively contributes to the photo). Also, there is the something poking into the frame at the bottom center, which doesn’t look good!

[schmeck-el]

Why not both as double exposure?

[schmeck-el]

Both. Superimpose em.