Correct cropping?

[MikeG]

This was a fairly difficult shot to get as the wind was blowing. Thus, the leaf was centered in the original. I've cropped it to make it slightly off center and applied selective coloring to the photo. Would you have cropped it differently? Is it a keeper? Is the original the better of the two? I can't seem to decide.

[t blanchard]

I actually like the cropping on the first image better than the second. The leaf falls so nicely between the trees, and the tree to the far left really anchors the whole photo, which is important since that shadow line goes at an angle. The leaf seems to fit in the photo much better in the first image. In the second photo you loose that second tree on the left and only have the one there. To me, there is something about the first image that is very balanced.

Also, I like the color image better. In the selective color photo, the leaf does not seem natural. It's a great job of post processing, but I prefer the color. That's just my opinion.

Overall, it's a great image and a beautiful capture - and I love it in color!

[MikeG]

Thanks, that's exactly the type of critique I was looking for. As I stated, I couldn't decide which image I liked better. The color/original is straight from the camera as taken. I guess I was afraid there was too much foreground and that the sky was too close to disecting the frame, thus my reason for cropping.

The selective color, well, that's my weakspot. I really like those images, but the more I look at this image, the more I tend to agree with you. The original is the better.

Thanks again!

[cziz]

Great capture! Excellent job and way to go with the sharp focus on the leaf!!! Very impressive!

I really like the first photo. I wasn't thinking "anchored" but "movement". Leaving the leaf room to glide on the left really enhances this picture for me... I can see the leaf's movement in my mind and it's path through the shot.

[AnnetteJ]

I like the pic and agree the first is better. Was the leaf suspended from a thread? I can see a vertical line above it which might be the thread - if it is that's easy enough to remove with pp, but you should probably do it.

[Darth Marty]

I cant really offer any expertise but I will say that in my opinion shot 1, the original, is the better of the 2. The colours are very good and as mentioned the leaf is nicely positioned.

Number 1 for me.