Question of where to crop? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

06/13/2004 10:25:00 AM · #1

took this candid shot of two children launching their boat on the beach. I like the look of the hills in the background but there's a tiny piece of palm frond hanging down. Have tried a closer crop on the 2nd pic. Would appreciate advice ....my cropping tends to be rather 'loose' to say the least

Sue

Elemmennope

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/13/2004 10:35:06 AM · #2

I prefer the second one. It keeps your eye on the subject -- the children and the boat. The first one is distracting because of the patch of sky in the corner and the palm frond in the center. Both draw your eye to the edge of the frame, away from the kids. Also the line where the water meets the land is tilted.

Very cute photo. :)

Message edited by author 2004-06-13 10:43:13.

waterlilies

Nikon D70

06/13/2004 10:38:49 AM · #3

I definitely like the second one. The kids are adorable, and the picture tells a little mini-story all on its own. The hills aren't bad, but they don't add a whole lot to the scene.

06/13/2004 11:08:31 AM · #4

thanks guys :) have recently started trying many different versions to see what works......sometimes it helps. Will have to resize a pic I have of an orchid and get your opinions......just can't get it right!

Sue

06/13/2004 11:26:29 AM · #5

this is the orchid pic.....all I've done is crop it slightly and resize a little so it would fit on the host site. I like the centre, the little pool round the stamen and the raindrops......but just can't figure out where to crop. Have tried a whole load of diff options but none of them seem right! Would appreciate ideas. It's the middle of the night here so am off to bed.....am looking forward to seeing what others would do with it

thanks
Sue

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/13/2004 01:59:41 PM · #6

Re: Children at Beach:

I'd still rotate the image a little. With waves and colour strata running horizontally, the balance can only improve. You would also gain a few mm at the top of it, where, IMO, you could use 'em.

Additionally, I'd consider lopping off just enough on the right for the three points of interest (girl, boy, toy boat) to appear just right off centre, since all the energy in this picture directs the viewer from right to left (the girl looking at the boy, the boy at his toy, the toy pointing toward open water to its left).

ChrisW123

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

06/13/2004 04:47:52 PM · #7

On the beach picture, I'd also crop it with none of the hills showing. I read that generally speaking, you don't want hills "supported" from below by water because the brain rejects it as being impossible. Obvisously there are a lot of exceptions such as if you have a strong reflection of the hills/mountains in the water.

On the flower pic, I think I'd crop it like this: