B+W Crop and composition

[infocus]

I want to know if this shot works as a square crop? does the cropped off head and hand bring more attention to the face or not? What about the exposure on the face?

Camera: Canon EOS 5D
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 105 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On

[WooD]

I think it would have been a lot better without her arm, and hand in the shot. The crop on her head works.

[SusanH1970]

Yeah, I gotta agree with Wood about the arm. It's the first thing I saw, then I noticed her pretty face. Otherwise I love the crop. And the exposure looks spot-on to me. I like that the area around her eyes is bright, but it's darker on the lower half of her face - it brings her eyes out nicely.

[Chip]

I agree with Dr. Wood and Susan. The hand/arm and tatoo are a distraction for me. And, to a lesser extent, so is the bit of hair on her left cheek near the arm.

But the crop and the exposure look quite good. And her eyes - wow. They're engaging and bright.