How best to crop this shot?

[kristenh]

Hi, all, hoping to learn something today. Took this yesterday- playing in a creek under a train trestle. caught the little guy looking up, amazed and a little scared, at the train.

nikon D5000
flash no
focal length 35 mm
shutter speed 1/60
aperture 4.0
iso 400




how would you crop it? i can go very small as i have it in raw. any other critiques are welcome as well. i had it in auto as a part of my plan this week to try and learn something from what the camera does and doesn't do right in auto.

TIA

[MrJones]

well, I think it depends on the message you're trying to send.
I cropped it and did a bit PP, for the more dramatic look
not everyone will like that on a kid though...



let me know if you want me to take it off...

[SusanH1970]

I like Mr Jones' crop, but I'm not wild about the PP (no offense ) I'd warm up the original, skin tones are really cool/blue. Gorgeous catchlights in the eyes!

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

I like Mr Jones' crop, but I'm not wild about the PP (no offense ) I'd warm up the original, skin tones are really cool/blue. Gorgeous catchlights in the eyes!

i didn't think many people will like it... it looks rough on a kid.
but with the bruise on his nose and the dirt in his hands... felt like doing something dramatic
clearly not a picture to give the parents

[kristenh]

thanks. here's the cropped and warmed version.

Mr. Jones- i am the mom so now i'm freaked out!

[SusanH1970]

Much better, Kristen! I'd even bump the exposure a little, it's just a tad underexposed.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by kristenh

Mr. Jones- i am the mom so now i'm freaked out!

ummm... oops?