Which crop is better, and why?

[mosca]

This is the flow control tower at the Francis E Walter Dam. This thing is REALLY imposing, and I shot it at the time of day, in B&W and at this angle, to try and emphasize that. I couldn't get quite as close as I wanted to; I would have needed a boat. I don't think I quite captured exactly what I wanted to, but it's getting there; maybe next time I'll get a boat (the tower's not going anywhere soon, after all).

I like the closer crop because it emphasizes the size of the tower, but everyone I show the picture to prefers the extra head room. The one with the larger field was the first one, and it was the one I chose naturally, but then I went with the second one. Yeah, I cleaned up a little lens flare in the second one. But I'm asking about the crop.

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/2/4/2/5/francis_e_walter_dam_1.jpg

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/gallery/files/2/4/2/5/francis_e_walter_dam_2.jpg

[jerryph]

In the end, though, technically, there is near no difference, but I choose the top one because it has some breathing room on the top left corner. If you put this pic into a frame, it will not chop off an important characteristic of your picture.

[coffee]

Ya, What Jerry said. There isn't enough of a difference to sacrafice the composition. It looks like you lightened up the second one a touch.

[LensBaby]

yes as Jerry has said...the second one is cropped too tight, so this will not allow for framing because your photo will be partially cut off. Make sure to always allow room when cropping (even in camera) just in case you want to frame it.