robert_davis7 Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 I shot this at my very first rodeo in Arizona. EOS 3, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6, Kodak Supra 100. Should I crop out some of the space at the bottom? I don't like to crop, but I will if I'm convinced it will significantly imrprove the photo. Thanks! -R<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leanne_newton Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_diaz Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Crop? Don't be ridiculous! What is a cowboy without a gigantic belt buckle? While I say this a bit tongue in cheek, I do honestly think that that cropping out the belt and buckle would turn the remaining shirt into wasted space. For me, the belt holds the composition together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcb.photo Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Hi Robert I agree with Brian, the Belt buckle adds to the photo. It gives it a nice starting point, and besides it adds to the story. Many of the Rodeo riders I've seen have large buckles, often prizes they have won. In a way it's part of an image Just a thought Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klix Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 My $0.02... crop AND grayscale....<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leanne_newton Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 On second thoughts, I agree with the others. Don't crop it, the man's stance is lost, and with it his whole attitude, and the belt buckle... so full frame is best after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leanne_newton Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 RJ, I didn't see your post, I was writing mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klix Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 IMO, the interesting aspect of this image is its illustration of the man -- not as a rodeo cowboy with a big belt buckle, but a man who's seen it all, heard it all... the fact that it's at a rodeo is, IMO, secondary... what's foremost is the years of a hard life etched into the deep hard lines on his face and his hand, with the cigarette smoke as counterpoint... This is a man used to physical labor, NOT a cushy desk job. And that's what makes this photo interesting to me; thus, the tighter crop to "zoom in" to that profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbie_benson Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Hi Robert I like it with the big belt showing, like the cigarette, it's really part of his "persona". I also like the cropped version that RJ did, but I still prefer the original. TTYS Abbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twmeyer Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 I'm with RJ on this, but I'd (obviously) go tighter, to lose that area in which his hat blends into the background and to narrow in on where the essential info is... face/hat/shirt/cigarette/hot sun... t<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 I think Tom's crop is great, it adds an almost sinister feel to it that is missing in the large crop. Without that feel, it's just some dude with a hat and a belt buckle. It's when we can feel the image that it works. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc_reed Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 I agree with Peter Apos... This cowboy rolls his own. His own what? I'm not sure, but I ain't gonna say it to his face. I know a tight crop is the right thing to do "most" of the time. But, it is the right thing to do "all" the time? NO! Keep the color. Keep the belt buckle. Keep it all. I wanna try to see what's on this mans mind. He's fixin to ..... well, I'm not sure, but he's gonna. So step back. That's what I see in full version unedited. Cropped version says, "yep, I roll my own." and that's it. Not as interesting was it? You boys follerin me on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twmeyer Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Had the framing been looser, maybe I'd say yeah, full frame. But with the belt buckle splitting the bottom edge and the blown out loss of separation at hat crown, I'm staying with the crop. It takes my eyes right to his eyes, and that's where the connection is. <p>The originally posted image has edges with bright elements that keep taking me off the page, away from his face. And that belt buckle aint that special, especially compared to what's goin on under the hat. That's my story, and I'm stickin to it... t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connealy Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 Chop off the bottom at the elbow, but leave in the rest including the the color and the nicely soft background which provides needed contrast for the detail and darkness of the main subject. The tight crop in bw is muddy and uninteresing. The talk about the importance of the buckle is an idea for a picture, but doesn't add up to one in this instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a long time ago Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 it's 2 pics...one cropped just below sleave cuff button and with the right side cropped just past the pinky..... and one with the buckle...nice image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalia_matveeva Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Don't crop and don't change colors! Sometimes, when we shoot(no hurry) we see the picture better than after it. Our first impression is very important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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