getting to grips with composition

[Vernian]

I've been trying to get my head around whats good composition, and whats not. Quite often I can see that I like a picture, but even with knowing (some of) the composition rules (rule of 2/3rds, framing, telling a story etc) I'm still a little at a loss when it comes to my own.

These two photo's are of the same set of lights (on the floor above through a whole in the ceiling) but from 2 different angles. I realise that the colours are slightly different in both, but appart from that. I think the first one feels a bit more dynamic, maybe because its not taken head on. And yet the second one seems more obvious what the focus of the picture was. But I'm not sure which one shows the subject best.

Am I interpreting this right? What do other people think and is there a better way of taking a photo of those lights (hard to know without seeing the environment I know)? Also, is the light flare appropriate or distracting in these?

Please feel free to edit and repost if you there are changes you'd make to either of these.

[LeeR]

You are right about the first one being a more dynamic angle. Generally speaking an obtuse or unusual angle is going to be more interesting plus, look at the spaces on either side of the light, it creates interstings negative shapes. We always want to try to create interesting negative spaces as much as possible. "Why?" you say, "No one notices them." And you would be right, but that is exactly why they are so powerful. They have a profound effect on our subconcious and the fact that they tend to bypass our concious gaurd makes them all the more significant.
Let's look at the second image. It is obvious from this image that the object we are looking at is symmetrical, yet you have very wisely chosen not to serve it to use that way. Furthermore, the way you have framed this has produced a sweeping golden arc that runs top to bottom leaving another interesting negative space to the right. Very good stuff here.

So which is better? I will admit to a slight bias here. I worked my way through college as a graphic artist so my preference is for strong graphical elements. That means I'm leaning toward number 2, but I certainly wouldn't blame anyone for choosing number 1.

[Vernian]

Thanks for that detailed explanation, I can see what you mean about the negative spaces, though at the time I didn't think about it. I'll definitely keep that in mind next time I shoot!