Gee after reading everyone elses comment. I'm afraid to comment. Actually I thopught the first picture with the frame was fine. I'm not sure if it is actually better. But it is different than the bottom picture. To be honest I thought the frane in the top picture was part of the picture itself when I first looked at it. In fact it serves to focus the viewer upon the object. Particurly upon the right side of the picture. I do agree though that the frame softens the impact of the picture. Bsteph