Marathon--which crop do you prefer?

I shot this at the São Paulo (Brazil) Marathon with a 20D and the 70-200/4L at 188mm, ISO 400, 1/1600th sec. at f/5.6. I'd appreciate any feedback about which crop you prefer and why. Many thanks.

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2. what does the full crop look like?

I like the 2nd better as it doesn't cut off the runner's head at the neck. I'd like it even better if the runner's head wasn't cut off at all.

At least in the second you get a sense of why this person is holding up cups of water since you can see a runner in the BG. The first looks simply like a product shot and I wondered why it is posted in sports forum. As Danny says above, I think if you show even more of the runners in BG you may provide a bit more context for the photo and it will have more impact.

Cheers!

Chris

Of those, definitely the second.

As mentioned, the runner in the background gives you some context.

Thanks, all. Original crop here:

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#2 by far.

Crop wise? #2.

However, I really wish there was some more DOF to this. It would definitely help the picture tell a better story.

TempExp wrote in post #8097599
Of those, definitely the second.

As mentioned, the runner in the background gives you some context.

Pretty much took the words right out of my mouth.

The second because there is less arm.