Nice Ian. I like the composition (and of course your model), but am not sure on such a tight crop. I would have included the elbow and maybe showed a little more below the knee. But that said, a lot to like here ;-)
I find non standard crops catch people's attention better
Actually composing in a square is hard if you don't just want to stick people in the middle. I find I either stick people in the middle or really shove them over an edge like this ...
I like the photo but wondered the same thing about the arm. You have so much space on the right that you could have spared a little to get the arm. I have no problem with the vertical at the knees.
Tight crops and unusual compositions can be good, but only if the end result complements the subject and creates a compelling image. In this case I find the crop forced and results in a weakened composition.
Without the cropped arm, her arms create a very pleasing frame around a beautiful face. In fact there are some nice leading lines from her torso to her arms and framing her face.
Ian Boys wrote:
I find non standard crops catch people's attention better
Actually composing in a square is hard if you don't just want to stick people in the middle. I find I either stick people in the middle or really shove them over an edge like this ...
I find well cropped photos capture people's attention
As for this new photo, I do not find this crop an example of a compelling image, personally.
I still like your original image. Great lighting, beautiful model. I'd just open up the edges a bit. Wasn't trying to be critical. But to each his own...
I love your use of negative space. The negative space highlights, while the chair gently masks, her beautiful lines. It is interesting to me. As far as the other photo, I believe that particular crop bumps an otherwise nice image up some and gives it some spice.
