Northern Water Snake - Help Needed

[Ziggy]

Found this guy Sunday at Wahkeena. Need your input on how to crop this image.

Do you like the way it is with the end of the tail showing on the left? Are would crop closer and cut out the tail?

Feedback appreciated.

[Mike Buckley]

Nice environmental portrait! I would leave it as is because the leaves nicely frame the snake. I would also add a slight vignette to concentrate the eye on the snake even more.

[deetheturk]

Nice capture Jim, I would crop the tail, the viewer I.M.O would believe it was behind the leaves anyway, and in doing so moves the snake from the center of the frame! but then again, what do I know

[John 2]

I would leave more or less as is Jim with perhaps a small crop from the RHS up to just before the second plant stem from the right plus as Mike suggests, a light vignette. IMHO the knuckle on the tree trunk then become a bit more prominent as a stop to the eye.

[Shadowman]

I wouldn't have noticed the tail at all, the sharpness of the leaves versus the softness of the snake is what got my attention. I'd leave as is and add more sharpness/contrast to the snake.

[bnnrcn]

+1 to Shadowman

[Ziggy]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Binnur and John. I did try to add some more contrast to the snake and re-posted it. He was a very light colored snake.

[Geoff F]

Cropping means cutting that leaf in half; but I would still do it because the main subject is the snake's head. Everything else is 'garnish' or distraction, so it can be trimmed.

[Shadowman]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Binnur and John. I did try to add some more contrast to the snake and re-posted it. He was a very light colored snake.

Jim,

Looks much better, tempting even.

[Ziggy]

Thanks Geoff for the feedback and thanks again John for the suggestion.

[Saorsa]

I think it's a great shot as is but would probably crop a little from the right leaving only one of the vertical stalks.

Edited to add my crop

[CaolIla]

Nice capture Jim, I would crop the tail, the viewer I.M.O would believe it was behind the leaves anyway, and in doing so moves the snake from the center of the frame! but then again, what do I know

Agree

[Ziggy]

Thanks Mats for the feedback.

I think it's a great shot as is but would probably crop a little from the right leaving only one of the vertical stalks.



Edited to add my crop

Thanks Brian for taking the time to edit the shot, like what you did.

After all the comments and great feedback I have decided the tail must go.