lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I had an instructor, a professional photographer, who never had a problem with cutting off the top of a head, or part of an ear, the full width of an arm, (c'mon, I'm not speaking literally ;-) ) because (in his words) the "viewers eye easily fills in what is missing". While I am not a fan of cutting off feet at the ankles, or un-anchored trees, I tend to agree with that advice and look at a photograph in terms of composition rather than "completion". I see comments on UHH that clearly disagree. Thoughts?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

This is an opinion subject. Like Coke or Pepsi, you will have a division of opinions. What do you hope to learn from this poll? Or is this just another conflict generator?

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

You see it as a "conflict generator", I see it as an opportunity for those "frozen" into a right or wrong position to reconsider. After seeing some of the comments when evaluating photos, one would think there is some sort of rule book governing these sorts of matters.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Nikonian see's this as a conflict generator, you see it as a way to make some definitive statement on what is a right or wrong position (frozen or thawed) and I see it as not worth discussing at all.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Wow, now it is a conflict generator. I don't want to be right or wrong. To the contrary, and I thought I was clear, I want those who think there is a right or wrong to reconsider, or to offer why they believe there position is better. And if you and Nikonian consider the topic worthless, why did you feel the necessity to enter an opinion?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The reasons are subjective.

littlebug Loc: woburn ma

I belive,the picture tells the story,just enough information to get the idea

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

I see a some professional shots, and on TV a few clips/commercials with the top of the head cut off for a real closeup. Generally the chopped off head is a commercial that is trying to sell you something and they are more believable with the extreme closeup.

I like the full head better. But I can see like it for artistic reasons.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

How about an example? I saw a thread with a foggy horizon, and a "chopped" tree, because there was distracting cr*p beside it, and it was fabulous.

Here's one with only part of a tree . .

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Allow me to throw this into the mix: It was thought that "human facial beauty" was purely subjective; but scientific studies indicate that there are facial proportions and characteristics that are universally judged as "attractive".
Is there some sort of research that indicates whether a photo that contains "all parts of the subject" is innately more appealing, or even attention getting, than one that is cropped?

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

I often find tight crops effective; especially if you're trying to emphasize the eyes or nose or something specific. I think it would be good to crop comments from folks who admit they find a post "not worth discussing". Guess he just can't stand not being heard.

MtnMan Loc: ID

My Guru of gurus on this stuff is Scott Kelby. He recommends cutting off parts of the head when it makes the photo more meaningful.

I have seen other posts here that suggests whacking other body parts is OK also...but don't cut at the joints. That seems to work as well.

People differ in what they like. If it looks good to you then you should be OK with it. Don't worry if some don't like it. If no one else likes it then you just need to decide who you are taking the photos for: them or you? Either answer is fine and you don't have to be consistant; i.e. you can take some for you and some for others.

MtnMan Loc: ID

This picture has a nice potential. The colors and tree bark are great. I'd suggest the problem with it isn't that it is cropped too much but rather not enough.

You need to decide what is the main point of focus for the viewer and put it at the upper thirds position. That should also get rid of the truck and trailer on the left.

Here is an idea of what I am suggesting. I also added a little vignette and sharpened the leave on the ground.

Leaves

MtnMan Loc: ID

Hmmm. I see from looking at it here one might want to lean it a tad to the left to get the pole straight up and down.

PJT Loc: Sarasota,Florida

My two cents worth!
In the published Glamor photography of todays society we are finding a bending or breaking of the standard composition rules .
It appears that many top photograhers today in order to extricate themselves from the torrent of up and coming shooters as well as thier peers are seeking new ways and methods of setting thier work apart .
This develops into a trend or style which they would like to call thier own. However this trend sometimes will be emulated by others. (That's human nature)
By letting creative juices flow ,the rules that held true yesterday are not necessairly the norm of today.
What I have seen is a tendency to crop off the top of peoples heads in extreme close ups. Also short lighting of narrow faces , while broad lighting heavier ones.
Also I have noted that the tilting of up to 45 degrees on peoples faces all though not new seems to be showing up more and more.
The upshot is that there simply should be; but not necessairly are established rules ,or guidlines if you will for taking certain types of photographic images.
However; it is the bending of these rules coupled with the ability of free thinkers that create some of the most stiking and most controversial images.
I think that this is a great thing. It also makes people uniquely different in thier approaches towards todays photography, and perhaps the future as well.
It also will insure that images will be forever created in the mind before actaully taken. and snap shots may become I hope at least for serious photographers a thing of the past.
What I appreciate is any womans /mans ability to think ,and therefore reason. It's to that end I think we of this forum aspire!
However never let us forget the accepepted photgraphic guidelines and styles that so many of the great painters and photographers endeavored so hard to establish !
OBTW I appreciate everyones oppinions on this subject!
Just my thoughts! :thumbup: 8-)