Should it be cropped?

[latterell]

May 31, 2008
Model: NIKON D300
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/250 sec
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash Used: No

[Tajemi]

I think so, the background is a little distracting

[jiminyClickit]

latterell, Welcome

For comparison:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/236/5...6da40f33bf.jpg

The difference is in the use of your frame area. If you stood 20 feet away from someone to shoot their portrait, it wouldn't be as powerful as a shot taken from 5 feet away. When possible, get as close to a single subject as you can. The background only serves as color here, and you don't need that much.

The cluster looks good, just shoot close up next time.

[lputman]

Listen to jiminy...he's a master.

[prince]

Ditto. When I first looked I kinda liked it but then I felt a crop will make it better. Not a tight crop though.

[Rattail]

I'd crop it in portrait - cutting out the green on the left and keeping the flower stem on the centre axis as you have done. Crop either side of the photo equally much. (as I stated, as far as the greenery on the left).

[private]

I would crop so the flower cluster is not in the center of the frame. I would also try and lighten up the leaves a bit (the parts that were not kissed by the sun...)