I tend to leave a fair amount of "negative space" around the subject when I'm processing an image; space that is not filled with an element of interest. I feel like the subject needs room to move about and breathe. Too close a crop to the top of the head and it makes me feel like the ceiling or sky is falling and crowding them, and then I start feeling tension as described in last week's blog. Let's look at this little stunner, Lexi; she let me get right up close to her for this image. I was only inches away. I love the image, but I feel that she's a bit too centered, so I'm going to see if I can improve it with a different crop.
I like her placement better with the crop below. We've got those fabulous furry ears in the frame, but her long, elegant whiskers are a but stumpy now; I think we can do better.
I zoomed WAY IN in the crop below and filled the frame with that gorgeous face and those mesmerizing eyes; I love it!
I've got the Pet Photography 52 Week Challenge to thank for pushing my limits and making me consider my images in a different way. Photography is a journey and I'm always looking to improve my technical skills and spark my creative brain to better serve my clients.