Composition and Crop?

[jmd02b]

The info:
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 300 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

I was wondering if anyone had tips for the composition and/or cropping of images like this. I took several today and yesterday of the fighter jets flying in formation and was unsure about how to crop them.

Thanks!

[Chip]

For me, your crop works well. Not too tight in front of the planes, with a good amount of trails behind them. I like the diagonal, too. Looks good to me.

[dcclark]

I agree with Chip. You don't need too much space in front of the jets -- you have just enough to let them "go" somewhere.

[MOmilkman]

Ive noticed typically when photos are critiqued, people say the subject should be moving into the frame and not going out of the frame.
In this instance, you all think that leaving the frame is better, due to the jet trail? Would that possibly be why?

[Sterling]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

Ive noticed typically when photos are critiqued, people say the subject should be moving into the frame and not going out of the frame.
In this instance, you all think that leaving the frame is better, due to the jet trail? Would that possibly be why?

Yes, I think the contrails are key here. Imagine these planes without the trails and the composition would be much weaker.

[Jim Bryant]

I like the way the contrails lead you towards the jets.