Natural light

3/4 profile. Should I crop the top? Thanks for any thoughts.

I wasn't sure about my crop. Should it be tighter?

I like the background on this one but I have to agree with you about the tighter crop. It seems to focus on the subject better when you crop tighter. Personally I believe that the crop is fairly tight behind her ear which dictates the rest of your crop.

Hi.

I like the first one better. I felt there is more to see, my eye roved around and looked. The tighter one seemed much more static.

It's funny to ask a question about opinions and get two totally different reply's. Thank you both for taking the time to answer me. I guess it just shows that there is no right and wrong way to do things. You just have to go with your gut - or what the client wants. I still haven't decided what I prefer... just one of those things...

Exactly, there is not right or wrong. Our perspectives change day to day. Sometimes even hour to hour.

My opinion is that the first is better now because the sharpness is not set extremly on the eye like it should be in clasical portrait. Also for the tight cut the eye should be a bit more brighter (a small reflection would be great). So on the first photo the view is pointed to the interesting light and shadow game on the cheek and chin and for this the cut is OK. Just pity that the light on top of the hair is to strong but anyway the photo has his potential.