Composition question

[WhiskeyPete]

The top of his head is just out of frame. Is that a major faux pas, or not really? Any cropping suggestions to fix it? Thanks!

[wulf]

No - that can be fine and I think it is here. It would be different if you'd been a bit lower and left the frame on his hairline but as it is, the effect seems a bit closer, intimate and informal and gives a modern result.

Wulf

[WhiskeyPete]

Wulf, thanks for the input! That little bit was bothering me, so it's nice to have another opinion. Much appreciated

[ricklumpas]

I have seen many close up photos like this, with parts of the head cropped and they still make great portraits. Great composition! I also like your choice of color but part of his face is blurred maybe because of a lower f-stop.

[Elmo]

In this case, cutting off the top of the head does not distract, if anything it might add some drama. What does bother me is the nose.

keep in mind I am very very old school. When I first looked at it the face seemed distorted. I checked flickr and sure enough shot at 18 mm. In this case the face was not distorted enough to say I wanted the distortion, but distorted enough to distract (at least for me).

Contary to the old attade frame your shot and take two steps forward reframe and shoot, I would have liked it bett if you had takes two steps back zoomed in reframed and shot.

With all that said I love eviromential portraits and this one sure ain't bad