kaydee wrote:
When cropping my shots, I generally try to leave open space in front of where the subject is facing. In this shot, I'm not quite sure if I like it that way. It cuts off the trail of water and just doesn't have quite the same feel, but what do I know. So, here's three different crops. I'd love to hear your opinions and see which ones you like best. How would you crop it?
You are correct in that "generally" it is a good idea to leave open space in front; however, this is a time when the general rule needs to be broken in favor of the pathos of the image. Yes this bird in the third crop looks like he is going to slide off of the image. . .which is the very energy and interest contained in number three.
The bird knows this, and he is doing his level best to stop, hence an image that offers up it own title: Whoa!
Edit: I just had a brain storm for a funny variation of crop number three. Would love to give it a try; however, not without permission to do so. ???