Cropped top of head - how bad is it?

[EmyB]

I know cropping limbs and things is generally a big no-no. I've only just realised I often shave the top off my son's head when I'm trying to get tight with my 50mm lens. I've shaved the top of hubby's head when trying to get in close a few times also.

How bad is this exactly?



Canon 60D
f 2.2
1/200
ISO 400
50mm

Many thanks for your opinions and advice.

[BigFuzzy]

Oh. My. God. This is sooo bad.

Kidding! Actually, I'm not one that advocates chopping heads is bad. Chopping limbs awkwardly is bad. Chopping chins off is bad. And tips of feet/hands always bad, but top of heads (in moderation of course), not bad.

Having said that, it's my opinion, others may disagree. But I don't think the crop hurts this image.

I would say that the crop at the bottom feels a bit tight to me.

[Tzetsin]

Theres nothing at all wrong with cropping the top of the head. In your case with this picture, I'd actually chop MORE off. The mind has a nasty habit of "filling in the blanks" In this picture with the angle of the skull up to the crop my mind fills in following the angle until the two points meet which makes him look like a cone head.

[SusanH1970]

Agreed with Tzetzin. A slight head chop looks accidental. A bit more looks purposeful. I'm a chronic head chopper, lol - I like how it puts the eyes on the ROT and draws the eye right to them. Just be careful not to crop too tightly or you get "Frankenhead".

Also agreed with The Big Fuzz re: the crop feeling too tight at the bottom.

[John Hendry]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Oh. My. God. This is sooo bad.

Kidding! Actually, I'm not one that advocates chopping heads is bad. Chopping limbs awkwardly is bad. Chopping chins off is bad. And tips of feet/hands always bad, but top of heads (in moderation of course), not bad.

Having said that, it's my opinion, others may disagree. But I don't think the crop hurts this image.

I would say that the crop at the bottom feels a bit tight to me.

Yip happy with the crop the child is looking down works fine.

All the best

[ccting]

Ya agree chop more. I know that we should not chop near to eyebow, how about his ear level? I love your fast len.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by ccting

how about his ear level?

Frankenhead.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Frankenhead.

Sry I am blur, can illustrate with pictures? Frankenhead?

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by ccting

Sry I am blur, can illustrate with pictures? Frankenhead?

LOL - Crop too much off the top and your subject looks like Frankenstein.

[EmyB]

Thanks very much for your replies guys!

Yes I see what you mean about the cone head hahaha. I will try cropping closer in.

I agree the bottom crop is too close but that's what I got at the time I'm afraid. He is forever on the move and I usually have about 3 seconds to take a photo! Hahaha. Good practice anyways. I will try to pay more attention to the limits of my shot in future.

Does this look a bit better? This crop is giving me a serious headache. He still looks a bit like a cone head here but if I crop in closer than this it starts to look quite odd, like I've cut half his head off. Maybe it's the way his head is inclined and a bit unavoidable. Any thoughts?



P.S. I thought about editing the green pen from his face but then I realised that would be detrimental to the shot, he's not a studio model afterall!