Why the first

The first one has 100% better composition, and tells a story. 

The second one is meh.

So, what was the refusal reason? As a side note: the camera is not relevant, the quality that a camera produces under a given situation is.

To me, the 2nd photo is looking far better than the 1st one. But the 1st one was approved and the 2nd one was declined. Both were taken through different smartphones.

 

By @artistic_neighbors1072

What do you like about the 2nd photo?

What commercial value does it have?

The composition of the 2nd is not that good.

In the first photo, you do have a vanishing point! Makes a better composition.

You usually need to post the original photo that is in question. However, in this case I can tell you:
-- no commercial value.
-- underexposed shadows.
-- blue tint.
-- poorly cropped.