To my mind, the angle's good for the Photo #2, as the square view of the light cuts off the bottom. The same pic in a vertical frame might have been more boring, though, than the angle chosen for Photo #2. Therefore: #2! :thumbup:
I really think that exposure is top here!
I just think the balance would be more to my taste it it was rotated clockwise a couple degrees... I would just like to see the light reflection on the wall and the base line up a bit better with the border.
The crop and portrait format is definately better for the pic though...