Tight Crop, does it work or should I move on?

[roostabunny]

50mm
1/80
f/2.2
800 ISO

I was playing with light and trying to get perfect focus on the eye(s) and didn't pay as much attention as maybe I should have to the edges of the frame. I've cropped in to a point where I like the composition visually, but I don't know if the edge along her jaw (which is part of the original frame) is awkward. Given that constraint (the bottom edge) are there other crops I should look at, or should I just move on from this one?

Thanks for any input!

[Doug Sundseth]

As you suggested, a bit more space under the chin would be nice. But I don't think the current crop is fatal.

I like the composition in general and the expression you captured is very nice. I'd certainly not abandon this one.

I'd probably have chosen a cooler color palette, but that's a taste issue, not an error.

Nicely captured.

[Niresangwa]

I like it.

I agree she looks very sallow, however.

[roostabunny]

Cool, thanks for the generous feedback fellas!

I agree on the color - I tend toward warmer tones, but she's much bluer than that in real life.

Truth is, despite my tendency, I'm also looking at my monitors. I have a laptop and cheap LCD external screen at home. Meanwhile, at work I've got a much nicer LCD, and the difference is stark. The re-edit I'm posting below looks way too cold on my laptop LCD, so I need to calibrate my brain at least, since there's not enough adjustment or quality in that built-in screen to make it right. I did a set of portraits for my in-law's 50th anniversary, we picked shots and had them printed, and were shocked at how yellow they were.

So, this kinda confirms my plans to put a nicer monitor on the shopping list for my home office/primary photo processing location.

Thanks again!

[Doug Sundseth]

That edit is really nice. I think you have a winner here.

[doctorjames]

For me the landscape orientation/crop looks odd, I dont know why, but not appealing to my eyes. I am sorry I do not have anything more constructive to say or help with.... I always like to be able to give a suggestion but dont really understand why I dont like it, so cant!

I ditto your monitor woes... I had the same issue. Just beware, after a few years, the colour balance starts to drift without you noticing how bad its got!

[Stryker]

Have you considered a *tighter* crop? Try one from just left of her eye to just right of her cheek with a portrait orientation and I think you will be surprised at the result. Basically, I'm suggesting that you entirely remove the left half of the image.

It is a nice capture to start with, so you can try the tighter crop and if you don't like it you always have the current one.

[doctorjames]

Originally Posted by Stryker

Have you considered a *tighter* crop? Try one from just left of her eye to just right of her cheek with a portrait orientation and I think you will be surprised at the result. Basically, I'm suggesting that you entirely remove the left half of the image.

It is a nice capture to start with, so you can try the tighter crop and if you don't like it you always have the current one.

Ooooo that is good, just did it with a piece of paper up against the model, works really well with cropped tight up to the eye.....

[roostabunny]

Originally Posted by Stryker

Have you considered a *tighter* crop? Try one from just left of her eye to just right of her cheek with a portrait orientation and I think you will be surprised at the result. Basically, I'm suggesting that you entirely remove the left half of the image.

I did actually, and I like the idea, but couldn't find one I liked. But looking at it again (using Dr. James' piece-of-paper method. Hey, remember cropping squares? Or am I dating myself?) I'm liking it a lot. Simplifies and clarifies. Solves the problem of stray hair without complicated cloning, too.

Great feedback, thanks!

[roostabunny]

I think I still prefer the wider crop, but this is definitely interesting in its own right. Ended up almost square based on not wanting to crop into her eyebrow.

Thanks again!