Crop or not to crop??Two old men:

[S_Sanyal]

Hello, its been a while...


Camera and exposure:
Nikon D90 w 18-200mm
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 90 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash


I am bothered by this picture, though it seems to have great light, detail and tones. Its the composition. I chose every element here to play a role... the people of course with the boats and the background...so hence this frame..

One, Is there too much space on the (camera) right?
A hint of the background is in frame to show them in their environment. Which I personally prefer.

Second, a square crop wasn't working for me. Nor does slicing off any part of the right. It somehow makes the two people too cramped in the frame (try it !! ). I don't know why, this frame works for giving a sense of depth better ( perhaps due to the blurred railing)...

So, finally, I need everyone's insights, opinions and suggestions to help me decide what works best, or how may this issue be addressed.

Thanks in advance for your time.
Cheers,

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by S_Sanyal

Hello, its been a while...


Camera and exposure:
Nikon D90 w 18-200mm
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 90 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash


I am bothered by this picture, though it seems to have great light, detail and tones. Its the composition. I chose every element here to play a role... the people of course with the boats and the background...so hence this frame..

One, Is there too much space on the (camera) right?
A hint of the background is in frame to show them in their environment. Which I personally prefer.

Second, a square crop wasn't working for me. Nor does slicing off any part of the right. It somehow makes the two people too cramped in the frame (try it !! ). I don't know why, this frame works for giving a sense of depth better ( perhaps due to the blurred railing)...

So, finally, I need everyone's insights, opinions and suggestions to help me decide what works best, or how may this issue be addressed.

Thanks in advance for your time.
Cheers,

I wouldn't crop it, I think its really good as it is.

I also dont agree personally with cropping square, and think a picture should always stay in its original proportions. Might just be me being a bit OCD with that, but thats my thoughts on these matters.

A thighter crop would also make it feel very cramped like you mentioned.

I like the picture... its a bit bizzare but in a really good way

[Phoxxie]

I really like it. I think maybe the two men should have had more space in between them by maybe moving the camera a bit more to the right and turning to the left slightly. Because with the man in the background so close and not so blurred it takes away from the focus of the main guy. Its a really great shot though as is!

[timiroberts]

I like it the way it is...don't need to crop out th empty space on the right side. I really like the tones and the contrast on the man on the left.

[dlambert]

One more vote for not cropping. The negative space helps the photo, IMO.

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks everyone for your positive feedback. I really needed to know how everyone besides me sees the picture..
Phoxxie, I appreciate the panning suggestion for getting the frame / composition etc. right, but I'd have lost the moment and the expression. I wonder whether it would have been (if not getting both) better to have this expression on him or a perfect frame where he was less animate...
Thanks again for your feedback, Let's see if what any more people may have to say...

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks everyone for your positive feedback. I really needed to know how everyone besides me sees the picture..
Phoxxie, I appreciate the panning suggestion for getting the frame / composition etc. right, but I'd have lost the moment and the expression. I wonder whether it would have been (if not getting both) better to have this expression on him or a perfect frame where he was less animate...
Thanks again for your feedback, Let's see what any more people may have to say...

[Bruce A]

I'm going to disagree with the others. I would crop it just a smidge to the right guy's left ear and black out what's left of his shoulder and chest. The main guy has so much character in his face he deserves all the focus and attention - my two cents worth of course. Great shot!

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks Bruce.

However, i dont understand what you mean by 'Black-out'..vignette?

[Bruce A]

No, not vignette - just darken what would remain of the guy's shirt in the background. You could try it without doing this and it may be okay. I just had a thought the shirt might contribute to making the background a bit too busy - maybe not. As I said, just my cents worth other views may differ. Bit I think you captured the main guy beautifully.