Another Cropping Conundrum

[PhotoRob]

It's been quite a while since the last post, glad to see so many familiar names, and encouraged by all the new ones. I'll get right to it: I'm hoping to get some opinions on the crop of this shot:



Please click for a better view

I've tried pushing in tight on the left, but looking at it makes me anxious because there's nowhere for her to 'travel' (rule of thirds = out the window). So, I've stuck with her smack-dab in the middle.

What say you? As always, thanks in advance...

[flashback]

Robert,
I might suggest one of two crops: crop on the right so that the girl is almost exiting the frame, keeping that structure on the left, or; crop to the left of the girl, leaving her room to 'exit' the frame.

[MrB]

Would it work if you mirror the girl, so that she is going towards the building, or does that alter the meaning of the photo too much?



Philip

[IzzieK]

Very good interpretation Philip...I was thinking of asking Robert to crop from the left if only a little bit because he might want to retain a big chunk of the structure there.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Robert ,I agree with Jack about cropping from the right side.And I also like what Philip did.Mirror the girl or not,cropping from right seems good to me

[davidedric]

For me, the image has two focal points, the structure and the girl, and my eye keeps moving between them, which I don't find pleasing. I assume the girl is where I should be looking, so I would crop from the left and perhaps leave the end tower of the structure in view. That would both frame that side of the image and create a barrier from which the girl might be fleeing.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Very good interpretation Philip...I was thinking of asking Robert to crop from the left if only a little bit because he might want to retain a big chunk of the structure there.

I'd go for cropping the left also.

[kdoc856]

I see three elements of foreboding here- the old fortress, the horizontal wall cutting the girl in half, and the girl's posture of fleeing and clutching herself for security (I'm not entirely responsible for my imagination). I'd suggest a play at using Philip's mirroring interpretation which ties the three elements together, and then converting this to B&W, further emphasizing the sense of foreboding. With that I'd probably crop a little more of the right, forcing all the flow toward the fortress.

[davidedric]

P.S. I would also clone out those rather odd looking blobs between the trees behind the wall

P.P.S. I tried Kevin's b&w suggestion (without the mirroring!) using Nik Silver Efex. Darkened the scene generally to increase foreboding and then brightened the girl with control points. Looks quite interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Jack, Binnur, Isabel!

[PhotoRob]

For me, the image has two focal points, the structure and the girl, and my eye keeps moving between them, which I don't find pleasing. I assume the girl is where I should be looking, so I would crop from the left and perhaps leave the end tower of the structure in view. That would both frame that side of the image and create a barrier from which the girl might be fleeing.

Dave

Thanks Dave!

[PhotoRob]

Would it work if you mirror the girl, so that she is going towards the building, or does that alter the meaning of the photo too much?

Philip

Never considered mirroring, that's very interesting, but for me her posture doesn't look 'natural' (I feel like she's tipping over) - maybe it's the way the legs are crossed opposite how you'd balance at that angle? That said I do appreciate the feedback, it's expanded for me what's possible with a shot like this!

[PhotoRob]

I see three elements of foreboding here- the old fortress, the horizontal wall cutting the girl in half, and the girl's posture of fleeing and clutching herself for security (I'm not entirely responsible for my imagination). I'd suggest a play at using Philip's mirroring interpretation which ties the three elements together, and then converting this to B&W, further emphasizing the sense of foreboding. With that I'd probably crop a little more of the right, forcing all the flow toward the fortress.

Also a great suggestion re: the overall presentation, I'll give that a go!

[PhotoRob]

P.S. I would also clone out those rather odd looking blobs between the trees behind the wall

P.P.S. I tried Kevin's b&w suggestion (without the mirroring!) using Nik Silver Efex. Darkened the scene generally to increase foreboding and then brightened the girl with control points. Looks quite interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

You bet, I don't see the blobs on my display but I expect they're clouds - I'll keep at it!