B&W Self portrait (again)

[Nathan deGargoyle]

With a black background it's easy to move things around. This was originally shot with subject centered. I then moved it to get this which I posted to my fifty two.



But I then had a little play and I think I prefer it this way (not finished, just thinking about comp)



Any thoughts?

Oh and

Camera: Nikon D70s
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 38 mm
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

strobist: 150w clamplight 1ft from subject camera left, 150w clamplight 2 ft from subject camera right

[Loving It]

I like the second one better.
Since you are sitting on the floor, it looks more natural to have the negative space above your head instead of below where you are sitting.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

Thanks Audra, that was what I was thinking but sometimes I doubt my judgement.

[windrider86]

here i go again. I like the first one with the space off to the one side but with a closer crop by the feet.
The second one has your toe chopped off at the toe
by the way, I just love your portraits

[Nathan deGargoyle]

My God she's right! Doh! Well it was only a play anyway so I can recrop. Thanks Michelle!

And if my SPs are getting better the credit should go to you and the others on here who have taught, encouraged and inspired me.

[harrypalmer044]

Hi Nathan,
I too like the second one more, mean and moody, reminds me of some old b&w spy movie type poster.
I really enjoy looking at your work, thank you for sharing.

[SandeeWig]

Well, Nathan, you're getting quite the differing opinions on this one! Windrider said it before me, but as I looked at the two, my first thought was that you looked cramped in the second picture. I like the space to the (camera) right by your foot in the first one better. (Not to mention your toes are intact )

I can see where you could crop out some of the space at the bottom of that one, but as far as composition goes, the first one works better for me. Given your pose, if you were to want to move your left leg, there's room for you to move it in the first, but not in the second...you'd have to move your right/bottom leg in that one and that just seems/feels awkward.