How would you crop these?

[Tight Knot]

Hi all,

Here are a few from my latest shoot, and I just cannot "feel" where they need to be cropped.
Any ideas would greatly appreciated.
Any other C&C would be wonderful also.
Thanks.

1a. Cropped


1b. uncropped



2a cropped to 2x3


2b cropped to 4x5 (8x10)


2c uncropped.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think they are way too contrasty and the on-camera flash, while lightening the face, blows out all the character.
The sweater the boy is holding is a dark blot.
Use an off camera flash, off to the side, with a reflector to somewhat open the shadow side.

 

[Tight Knot]

Hi,
Thanks for the detailed reply.
I did use the onboard flash, but also used a reflector from camera left. I played with curves to give it a slightly more contrasty look, to match the seriousness of the expressions. I'll try post the originals later.
As far as cropping goes, what would you recommend?

 

[Tight Knot]

I also forgot to mention that the sun was directly behind the subjects, setting

 

[2WheelPhoto]

More fill flash (and off camera!), the bright whites in the background and the dim white on the shirt/face isn't working in your favor

 

[runnah]

Yeah not very flattering light. The second fellow with the glasses has his ears lit up like a christmas tree... err menorah. I would try to make those less stand out-ish.

 

[Tight Knot]

More fill flash (and off camera!), the bright whites in the background and the dim white on the shirt/face isn't working in your favor

I hear. Thanks for the input.

 

[Tight Knot]

Hi Lew,

Sorry, I didn't see your cropped image earlier, I was answering from my cell. I like the crop.

 

[Tight Knot]

Yeah not very flattering light. The second fellow with the glasses has his ears lit up like a christmas tree... err menorah. I would try to make those less stand out-ish.

Hi Runnah,

Thanks for the C&C. Yup, his ears definitely do look like a menorah on the eighth night of Chanukah. I guess that's one of the drawbacks of photographing with the sun so low and right behind them.

 

[Tight Knot]

I'm not sure if these are any better (or worse), but these are SOC except for re-sizing them and watermarking.

 

[Tight Knot]

I think they are way too contrasty and the on-camera flash, while lightening the face, blows out all the character.
The sweater the boy is holding is a dark blot.
Use an off camera flash, off to the side, with a reflector to somewhat open the shadow side.

View attachment 40274

Hi Lew,

Did you see the 2 SOC images I posted? What do you think of the originals?