
Originally Posted by
Dorian Anderson
Cropping is obviously personal preference and another avenue for creativity, but there's a reason - to me, at least - why most landscape/horizontals are presented as 3 x 2 format: it's the ratio on the sensor and through the viewfinder. It is also very visually pleasing to most. I don't see a reason to deviate from that standard unless there's a very specific purpose, like my wide-angle sandpiper conceived around the negative space. That shot would suck without the exaggerated crop; the frame is more about the crop than the subject in that respect. The subject is hella boring on its own. I think you're beautiful subject and perch would be equally strong in a standard 3 x 2 crop, so I don't see a reason to deviate from it. I'm also curious how yours would look asa proper 4x5 vertical. That crop as is feels like you can't make up your mind between a horizontal and a vertical. No one says you have to chose one or the other, I just find intermediates suggest indecision on the part of the photographer/editor. Unless, again, there's a very specific reason to deviate.
Also, square shots are the thing ever in my mind, so any crop that leans in that direction gets my hackles up!