Trying to find the right crop size

[ebojorq]

Hi, everybody!

This weekend I shot at my brother's wedding... fortunately I wasn't THE photographer for the occasion , but I managed to get a few shots I really liked... they need a little work, but I think I'm on the right track.

For now, I'm thorn between different crops of the same picture that I can't quite make my mind about, so, I would like to know what you think is the way to go here. I know there's a lot of work to do cloning out some background foes and fixing the flash shadows, but for now I'm just flat out indecise about which framing to use.

Original: I actually like this one... I just can't find my way yet to erase the guy in the background behind the bride and the stuff behind the groom.

De 2010-12-11 - Boda

Crop #1: I kind of like this one and not... what troubles me here is that it seems a bit unbalanced to me.

De 2010-12-11 - Boda

EDIT: Sorry for posting this in the wrong place... but, since it is now in the critique section, I think I owe the EXIF info:
Focal length: 45 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Flash used, auto white balance

I just bumped +1.5EV in post.

[carlyfan]

I actually really like the second one, crop #1. I think the composition works better because their faces are on the upper left thirds intersection. In the last one, they are more centered, and I don't feel that the dead space above their heads really adds anything to the picture. Nice capture of a sweet moment though.
I vote for crop #1.

Lisa

[Chaotic Beds]

Indeed, nice moment to capture!

What I don't like about crop #1 is that he's sort of backing her into a corner, which doesn't fit their expressions or the moment in general. That framing carries a symbolism that totally doesn't apply here. Also, the empty space behind him doesn't have any purpose, and the little decorations plus the lines and dark area in the wall are... I dunno, I just don't like them there.

What I don't like about crop #2 is, as carlyfan said, the extra headroom.

I like #2 better, but if it were me, I'd try to experiment before trying to decide between these two. Maybe take #2, lessen the headroom, and bring some of his shoulder back in. Screw the rule of thirds, and screw the standard height/width ratios - unless you plan on printing and framing it.