Which Crop?

[Mike-PDX]

This was a closeup of and Elephant's ear and shoulder, taken in Chobe National Park, Botswana. Here are two different crops of the same shot. Which do you prefer and why? How might it be improved? (It's perfectly OK if you hate them both )

Square

Ear and Shoulder - 2 by Mike-PDX, on Flickr

16:9

Ear and Shoulder - 3 by Mike-PDX, on Flickr

[fiznatty]

It's a tough one for me, but I prefer #2 just barely. I actually prefer the square composition in #1, but tightening up the crop highlights the textures and patterns created by the veins in the ear. The top third of the first image is a bit plain without the veins going all the way up, so I guess I like that #2 is canvassed with more of those textures throughout. Hope that makes sense.

Max

[JDueckPhoto]

Maybe #1 shifted down a little??

[Mike-PDX]

I think I'm leaning toward the wide crop, myself, but its a tough call. Just for grins, here is the original I was working with.
Anybody else have a thought?


Elephants-25 by Mike-PDX, on Flickr

[photographmemories]

Mike, Actually your original is the best one.

Nice picture!

[JaniceL]

I'm leaning towards number 1. There is something about the second that doesn't hold my eye.

[fiznatty]

I like the repost. It simplifies things a bit and offers up a contrast between what are basically only two different patterns/textures. The wider crops have more going on, but in this case that's almost distracting.

Max