Please assist me with a crop question

<p>From these two proofs, which crop would you choose <strong><em>and why</em></strong>?<br>

I require the 5x7 aspect ratio.<br>

There is no more height, than what is shown in the top crop.<br>

The main Subject is the Green Player (on the ground), who has made the strike on the ball.<br>

I would consider removing the background Blue Player (LHS), in either version.</p>

<p>Thank you for your assistance.</p>

<p>WW</p>

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<p>The bottom one. Because the top one, with all of that foreground space, comes across as more of a framing/composition error. The cropped version reads as more intense, and conveys the tangled-up-edness of the play.</p>

<p><em>"conveys the tangled-up-edness of the play."</em><br>

<em>!</em><br>

That was quick . . . Thanks Matt. I appreciate the rationale.</p>

<p>Sorry but I wouldn't show either of them. </p>

<p>William, The bottom one! Nice tight cropping emphasizes the players in the foreground and keeps the eye from wandering. The viewer can see from this shot that the guy on the ground went down fighting by getting his toe on the ball thus preventing the blue guy from controlling the ball. I do a fair amount of shooting soccer (4-8 year olds) with a P&S and find it more practical to crop post exposure as the action is too fast to accurately crop in camera. (Don't know how anyone can do that.) I'm just happy if I can get my grandsons and the ball in the same frame. :-) Best, LM.</p>

<p>William,<br /> I kinda agree with Bill that neither one would be something I want to sell. Hopefully, you have other shots. <br /> But if I had to pick one it would have to be the second. If the kid in green is the subject then he needs to be in the photo and the second crop cuts off his arm and nips off his toe. If you want to crop tighter is should be from the other side but I would not crop it. [Edit: just realized that would cut out the ball so no crop would be best.]<br /> He obviously mad a good play which I assume is the reason you are wanting to save the image. Unfortunately, his face is in a bad position right behind the other kid's back side and partially obstructed from view, so that is why I hope you would have other shots.<br /> And of course for the other kid his head is cut off and he is losing the ball.<br /> So neither player is shown in the best light here so again hopefully you have others to choose from.<br /> Andy</p>

<p>Andy and Bill said it perfectly. I would go with neither for the reasons states. </p>

<p>I would say both are throwaway and better luck the next time cases. The front player has the top of his head chopped off, and the other one has his face mostly obstructed. The other players are just legs. Too many people have too much chopped off in both compositions.</p>

<p>I'll be a contrarian, here, and say that people shooting events don't always have the luxury of <em>not using</em> a shot. They have to make the most of what they've got. This has happened to me plenty of times, and on several occasions I've had to hold my nose and present a less-than-ideal photograph of a particular moment to the subject (or subject's Mom, etc). And guess what: they're frequently so thrilled to have <em>any</em> record of that moment that the peculiarities of composition, etc., are the last thing on their mind.<br /><br />None of us are in any way emotionally invested in that shot. For someone who is, entirely different standards are at work. I don't believe that William is asking whether this should be considered prime portfolio material - he's asking about how to make the most of what he's got, for this one shot.</p>

<p>I agree that there must be another such pic to come to you after a lot of practice; soccer season has just started, so keep shooting! And good luck!</p>

<p><strong><em>"I'll be a contrarian, here, and say that people shooting events don't always have the luxury of not using a shot."</em></strong><br>

<br />This is the exact reason for my question.<br />Further, NEITHER the reason for the shot NOR its use has been revealed.<br />I appreciate the views that there could be "better" shots: FWIW there are and many.<br />I also appreciate the advice that if I keep at it and practice a lot I will get better: that is not the point either. But to answer the question, I have been doing this for more than 35 years but that is in my bio and there are plenty of other shots in my portfolio and posted on line and in publications also.<br />The critique is nice, but not what I asked about . . .<br>

The question stated was indeed the question stated.<br>

<br />I simply want another colleagues’ advice as to which crop would they choose and why - this image will be used, there reasons why it will be used are not part of the question I am asking, and yes if it were my artistic choice or a shot to sell or show to a client or publication - it would be on the discards: but that is irrelevant to this question and the situation, also.</p>

<p>If those who offered coaching advice would like to answer the question I would appreciate it. Others too.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I like the bottom one. Cuts right to the point, and puts more emphasis on the onlooker's (at least, this onlooker) wish to see the expression of green player's face more.</p>

<p>I concur with most, photo 2 is better to show the action, remove the distractions and portray the intensity of the play.</p>

<p>Of those two, definitely the second. And I think having the edge of the player on the left had side tightens the framing nicely.<br>

If you didn't have to have 5x7 I wonder what it would look like cropped just below the left hand of the 'blue guy'? This would make the green guy the be all and end all of the viewer's focus.</p>

<p>If it's a choice of one or the other only then it's the second imo. The first draws too much attention to the missing top of the head of the player standing to my eyes.</p>

<p>William -</p>

<p>I'll be a little bit more off the wall on this one - unless the client has specifically requested the ball be in the photo - I'd do an even tighter crop on the player on the ground (a 5x7 horizontal).</p>

<p>Dave</p>

<p><strong><em>"I'll be a little bit more off the wall on this one"</em></strong></p>

<p>Appreciate that - I tried it - but the ball needs to be in shot - also tried changing the tilt a fraction.<br>

Thanks to all.<br>

Your collective opinions for the second confirm my own thoughts - but I was too close to it and wanted reinforcement as I wandered to being "unsure", which is unusual 'cause I am usually quite quick with cropping.</p>

<p>I will post the final crop later, FYI, I am pushed for time ATM.</p>

<p>Thanks again for the help. </p>

<p>WW</p>

 

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<p>I will post the final crop later, FYI, I am pushed for time ATM.</p>

 

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<p>I agree this is the better crop. I wish you didn't have to cut off the left toe on the white boot.</p>

<p>Thanks Joseph - we noted that too, in the end that artistic element of the foot was not the more important issue - keeping 5x7 and the ball with a bit of air before the border was more important.<br>

WW</p>