Where to crop?

[sv_goon]

I captured this picture this summer in Paris, a group of Tibetan monks enjoying their Starbucks drinks during a break in the courtyard of the Louvre.

The first image is SOOC, the second is my best shot at cropping. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to handle. I was trying to eliminate the trash can and the lady eating the sandwich on the left, but was forced to choose between how much of her to have in the frame and how much of the left-most monk to cut off.

Are there some rules of thumb to apply in this situation?

SOOC


Cropped


EXIF:
Camera Canon PowerShot S95
Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/4.9
Focal Length 22.5 mm
ISO Speed 160
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

[Liz Caldwell]

I definitely like the 2nd crop better, I think you captured the most interesting subjects... great capture btw, I love the expressions on the two "regular" guys; they look just as surprised as I was to see monks with starbucks

[sv_goon]

Thanks! We thought it was silly that there was a Starbucks so close to all the history of the Louvre, but then to see these guys all with their frappucinos was really funny.

You think cutting off the left-most monk's knee is preferable to having half the sandwich-eater and her orange shirt in the top of the frame?

[Sweetlifephoto]

Yes, that is a better choice

[Liz Caldwell]

Agreed... better to lose the knee

[giannispass]

Originally Posted by Liz Caldwell

Agreed... better to lose the knee

+1
agree!!

[aflacina]

I like this a lot. I like the guy to the right ... it makes you wonder / infer what he's pointing to. By the looks of the guys above it may be something that is uninteresting or lame.

Well done

[sv_goon]

Thanks, all! Nice to have some validation. I wish I had more courage to take more pictures in situations like this so I could have a selection to pick from.

Regarding what the one on the right was pointing at, there was another small group of monks behind us. Maybe he was saying "Man, those guys look strange with Starbucks cups."

[TNH]

Lol, nice capture!

I think the second crop is best, it gets rid of some of the unnecessary distractions all around.
Yup, the knee being cut off isn't near as distracting as the lady sitting there.

I like how you toned the colors down a bit. Nice job, IMO!

[andrewdt]

Although you do have enough wall already in shot to clone out the lady sitting there and still allow for the monks knee to be in shot. Best of both worlds, however if you are anti fiddling that much then you have definitely made the right choice in my mind. Great capture.