Which should I print?

[shootme]

I'd like to print this shot of a waiter waiting for business outside his Tavern in down town Brussels, but I don't know which of the two I should print for my B&W album. Any suggestions? Thanks S

[draymorton]

Actually, compositionally, I'd like to see somewhere in between.

Great shot. Was this posed?

[shootme]

Hi Draymorton, nope it wasn't posed. When I'm walking the streets I'm always looking for peoples expressions and stances for that lucky catch. If you would I'd be grateful to see your rendition of a crop, I'll post the original so you've got all to play with if you have a moment, I'm not so good with PP so help is always welcomed. Thanks and cheers, S

[Didache]

For me, it's the closer shot. As always, with me, it's about getting rid of the things that don't contribute much and filling the frame with the interesting part.

Cheers
Mike

[shootme]

Thanks Mike, I'd agree, my dilemma however for this one is the whole body language which creates an expression. S

[Overbeyond]

The original would have been perfect had the chairs not been there and perhaps then we would have sight of both his feet.
So the horizontal crop is the best one now.

[jetrim]

I think I favor the portrait configuration, because even though there is a lot of negative space, the empty chairs both inside and out, add to the story.

[Grandpaw]

I think I favor the portrait configuration, because even though there is a lot of negative space, the empty chairs both inside and out, add to the story.

I totally agree with Jetrim. The empty chairs add a lot to the scene for me because the empty chairs add to the mood of him standing there waiting for some customers. I would like to see it straightened though, Jeff

[SmartWombat]

I prefer the original shot.
Without his apron below the waistcoat, I don't know he's a waiter.
Without the empty chairs, I don't know why he's standing there.

[stu-52]

I agree completely with Paul. Seeing the chairs in the foreground and seeing his apron just add to the story of the shot. If you do the landscape version you have to work more at figuring out the "story".

[Shebang]

The original. Ditto the reasons.

[Ultra Magnus]

Another vote for the original.


BM

[shootme]

Thanks for all the input and votes. I've gone with the majority and printed the original, though I did straighten using the pillar he's leaning against as suggested. Cheers S
PS: It looks great in print