Need help with a crop.

[Felix0890]

For some reason, I can't find a crop that I like for these pictures.

1. For now, I've decided to keep it as is but there's something that's bugging me about it. Any ideas/edits welcome. If you like the crop as is, please let me know.

2. Not sure which to go with here. Two different pictures with two different crops. I can only choose one to print. I like the position of the duck in the 1st one, but I didn't manage to get a wide enough composition to get its reflection. I managed to do that in the 2nd one, but the duck decided to lower its neck. Not sure which to print. :/

or

 

[KmH]

ROT
Eye camera left, on left upper power point:

ROT
Eye on left vertical 1/3 line:

ROT
Bird in right 2/3 of frame

 

[Felix0890]

I like those crops. May i ask what ROT stands for? Thanks for the ideas.

 

[MTVision]

I like those crops. May i ask what ROT stands for? Thanks for the ideas.

ROT = rule of thirds

 

[Natalie]

ROT = rule of thirds. Basically, you divide the image with two equidistant horizontal lines, and two equidistant vertical lines, as a guide to composition. Objects aligned with those imaginary lines tend to be the most visually pleasing. My edit of the otter shot is similar, though I put the center of the face near the intersection of the upper and left thirds lines, and put the legs and paws on the vertical lines.

 

[shinkee]

Try cropping when you are composing the shot in the future, try not to be a snap shooter. Don't rely too much on photoshop.

 

[KmH]

Yep, composition is best done in the viewfinder, when possible.

Obviously, when shooting animals you may not have that luxury.