To crop or not?

This was taken with K5 and 55mm/1.4 at f/2.2 1/400. Is the image okay firstly, and is it improved by either of the crops?

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0892.jpg[/IMG]



[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0892_2.jpg[/IMG]



[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0892_3.jpg[/IMG]

Any other advice re exposure/pp welcomed.

Nigel

The first of the crops improves the original image, focussing attention on the natural frame made by the bench. I would go for a standard aspect ratio though - so a bit more from the bottom and a tiny bit from the top of the image so it is in the same proportions as the uncropped shot. The second crop is reducing image quality too much and is less of an interesting comp because the frame is gone.

The old advice is to crop out anything that doesn't add to the image.

The first one has perhaps too much information and when you crop to the second shot then you have a much tighter composition. You still have all the context though. You also lose distracting light areas at the edge of the image, which always drag your eye away.

The third shot becomes just a picture of a cat, a good one, but without the context of its environment.

Personally I would go for the second shot, unless a tight cat portrait was needed and then it would be the third one.

Thanks for the rapid feedback. The second crop is close to the image I had in mind, but was unsure if I had taken to much out. Also concerned that the out of focus swirls had become too distracting rather than just framing the cat. Yes I can see that adjusting the aspect ratio is easier on the eye.

I went for black and white, but the 55mm really delivers some pleasing colours and detail...

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0226.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0893.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry for more cat pics, but she is normally around when I have a new lens or camera. Note to self...must get out more!

Gareth may have a point here but I keep changing my mind as to crop out some of the left but keep the 'frame of the seat' in the right may require altering the shape of the photo (aspect ratio etc)it all depends on what makes you happy

This works for me...apart from the bright area top right,I have kept in more of the 'left ' to try and draw the eye to the framed area of the cat.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/inamini/IMGP0892_4.jpg[/IMG]