To Crop, or Not to Crop...

[PhotoRob]

Hello all! I typically adjust the foreground in shots like this, but there's something about the scale and balance that I'm questioning may work as-is. What do you think? Crop, or no crop?

[JPS]

Hi Robert,
an easy one for me....No crop
I like it as it is, well done.

[Donald]

I'd agree with John. Go with as is.

I thought it might be worth trying a 16:9 ratio. I downloaded it and tried a few 16:9 options, but none of them worked as well as what you've got here.

[PhotoRob]

Thanks John, really appreciate the feedback

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Donald!

[MilT0s]

My first thoughts are also about a 16:9 crop but unlike Donald I didn't tried it. Almost always you can't be sure until you see the different versions side by side so why don't you try it yourself and upload it so we can evaluate better?

I like it a lot by the way!

[rpcrowe]

There are probly a dozen ways to crop this neat image. I like a crop something like this...



I usually leave more room in front of a subject especially when that subject is moving but, I think that this cropping shows the adventurous meanderings of a little boy. I like including his shadow in its entirety because it seems to lead my eye to the boy.

The only thing better would be to have pristine sand showing the footsteps of the boy....

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Richard! Great point about the shadow...and I do like how you've cropped it; goes from 'small-boy-big-world' to him being 'dominant'. Amazing how a crop can change the story so much...

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Miltos!

[Dave Humphries]

I like Richard's crop.

How long before Mom (or Dad) ran after him?

[PhotoRob]

I like Richard's crop.

How long before Mom (or Dad) ran after him?

Thanks Dave! It's been a bit since I've been on the site, I like the new avatar! Fortunately there was plenty of beach, he didn't get too far (I'll post more on that )...

[ggt]

I prefer the crop. I've said it a gazillion times, but I want to see as much of the child as makes sense. Personal preference!

I think his shadow is an important part of the composition and the grasses and water give clues as to his environment. Richard, I think you created good balance here.

[RogerCook]

I didn't think I would crop but then I seen Richards and like it better.

[rpcrowe]

BTW: I never worry if I am cropping my images to any standard size. If I wish to frame an image, I will either cut a matte which will fit a standard size frame or I will print a border around the image which will fit into a standard size frame.

[ggt]

I'm with you Richard. I crop to the composition. There is reason for custom frames!

[Mike Buckley]

I'm a fan of tight cropping, perhaps to a fault, but in this case I prefer the original. Anything other than the original will eliminate the sky putting the spotlight on the boy. My guess is that it is created by vignetting caused by the lens, but it works very well here.

[terrib]

I prefer your original composition. It leaves room for him to walk to the ocean without walking out of the frame. It gives depth, I think. And as Mike says, the sky is better.

[PhotoRob]

I prefer your original composition. It leaves room for him to walk to the ocean without walking out of the frame. It gives depth, I think. And as Mike says, the sky is better.

Thanks, the pp does have a bit of vignette that brings the focus down a tad - appreciate the feedback

[PhotoRob]

I'm a fan of tight cropping, perhaps to a fault, but in this case I prefer the original. Anything other than the original will eliminate the sky putting the spotlight on the boy. My guess is that it is created by vignetting caused by the lens, but it works very well here.

Thanks Mike!

[PhotoRob]

BTW: I never worry if I am cropping my images to any standard size. If I wish to frame an image, I will either cut a matte which will fit a standard size frame or I will print a border around the image which will fit into a standard size frame.

Richard, so glad you mentioned that; if it comes down to compromising on the composition, I agree custom framing is the way to go...