Cropping Critique Please

[Newfie]

My brother and I have a competition going where we choose a theme and concentrate on that for the week. Then we compare results. Last week the theme was rule of thirds.

I shot this picture of my daughter and I really liked how it turned out. My brother suggested a crop to remove the railing on the left and the negative space on the right. I tend to disagree as I like how the right side adds to the mood. What do you think?

Here is the original...



And this is the cropped version with some white balance correction...



Thanks.

[wdogg40]

Removing the railing is fine but the negative space to the right is essential. It helps with the mood in that your subject is on a stage and she is just one individual and stages are suppose to be large.

Actually if you have the capability you could clone out the railing to see what that looks like instead of bringing the crop in.

[Gonzo13]

I don't like the crop. I disagree with wdogg40 about the railing. It almost appears that she is impatiently waiting for a partner to come up the stairs to join her. Or she could just be looking down the stairs.

~Gonzo13

[Newfie]

Gonzo13 - I think that's a good point regarding the railing. I had not thought of it before but it does look that way. Thanks for commenting.

[tott7000]

I would crop out the rail, but leave the rest. Its got a great "I won't do it and you can't make me" feel. Reminds me of my two daughers at that age. I kinda think the wb is corrected to much.