how's the composition?

[KaraM]

I know my subject's eyes are seriously out of focus (and he needs to shave, wear a different shirt, and maybe smile more), but how is the composition of this portrait?

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[Alex_B]

I personally would make it a square crop, using the upper part of the image.

right now to me it is out of balance horizontally and vertically. Having images slightly out of balance can help create tension, but to me in this particular case the vertical imbalance just seems odd and uneasy.

Just my very personal opinion of course but give the square crop a chance!

I like the blurry star in the background.

 

[KaraM]

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I have to agree with you on this, Alex. Thanks for the input.

Anyone else with C&C on either the original or the cropped version?

 

[JustAMom]

the cropped version looks great! the original version seemed off to me

 

[Trenton Romulox]

The cropped version is definitely better I think. Good call Alex. I am sort of distracted by the uneven background, that dark line that is not quite horizontal. For portraits, I definitely go with a very simple or a very busy background, I don't really like the in betweens like this one. That's just a personal taste though, so it's not really an issue with your photo. If the eyes were in focus, it'd be a great portrait instead of the good one that it is. Still though, good shot.