Really like #1 Andrew great framing and DOF. I can see what you mean about #2's framing but there is something about it nice contrast in it.

Hi Andrew,
Here's how I see these... Although #1 is striking, I can't help thinking; I've seen that photo before. :-)
#2, however, really makes a splash! Colours are fabulous, pink on blue is very exciting. The DOF is small enough to make the image an abstract, although I might have preferred the focus to have been slightly nearer - in front of the yellow bits - to make the *colours* the subject rather than the flower. Just my HO!
Mike

#2 is very stylish, I love the offset composition and color of this one

And the bokeh and choice of sharp area are excellent in #1 as well.

Carl

very nice flower shots, I like #1 of course, I agree it seems like something about the framing on #2 wasn't quite ideal, but it's still nice.

I almost wonder in part if #2 should be flipped, and maybe if it had included the bottom edge of the center of the flower not sure. Regardless though I love the colors of that second one. First is nice too, but really like the colors on the second. Depth of field on both of these is nice too. You're armed and dangerous with that 5D :-D your photos alone have convinced me I have to get one.

#2-

Framed a bit more to the left to include the center of the flower, and a bit more down, perhaps to fill the right portion of the frame a bit more but include more of the center, might do what you are wanting.

The color and contrast are remarkable.

N/T