Crabbing

when I have to choose; this is the one ! But love to see a crop of (1/3) lower part: just above the 'hand' of the 2nd figure. Well seen

Definitely this one. The four subjects do not seem to know of your presence. The additional breathing room in the frame seems to add a scaling factor that reinforces that for me. And the fact that they are unaware is a large part of my overall interest.

The other version seems crowded to me in an unnatural way. If you were really as close as that crowding might indicate, while pointing a camera down at them, why is no one looking up at you? If I were one of them, I would be. It doesn't look as believable to me.

Thanks guys, as you have confirmed my intuition.

Didn't see the other image, Clive, but I sure enjoy this one. Nice work.

Beautiful work. Loved it.

Thanks for kind comments.