Cropping conundrum

I'd be grateful for some advice on how best to crop a picture like this. The bird was dead central. I've cropped it so the eye looks into the picture but then the bill points out. I took a smidgeon off top and bottom as well to keep a fairly rectangular feel. I thought it looked better this way but I wonder what others think?

30D, Sigma 500mm f4.5

Thanks

Tim

I guess it depends on your intended use for this shot Tim,

If you intend printing, or just screen viewing etc.

This particular crop seems a bit biased to the left side of the frame, to my eye.

If the bird is dead central on the full frame, i personally would have just cropped a touch off the RHS, so the head is facing into the frame {for printing onto A4 paper dimensions etc}.

I think your posted 'screen' version would look more balanced with a square crop, by losing a touch off the RHS.

Just my preference though

Nice shot BTW

Alan

Reduce space on the right and give more on the left Tim - give the bird room to 'look into'

Always leave space in the direction the subject is looking.

Nice detail and a super BG

Hi Tim,

Agree with Astbury

Regards

Rob

I agree with alan and andy, more on the left to look into, but even as it is its a nice image of a goldfinch.

Nice shot. All been said. Bird would be better not looking out of the shot.
Cheers
JR

I'd do something like this Tim. Never done this much PS'ing to an image of mine but it's nice to know I can Great exposure and the green BG really compliments the colours of the Goldfinch. Nice work but I'm sure it would be more satisfying to get this framed in camera... but I'm really anal!

Without any cloning on the left, I'd go for the square format or certainly ditch as much off the right as I could.

Nits covered, but a very good shot of the bird all the same. Re-post looks miles better comp wise.
Eric

Thanks for all the ideas, I find cropping very confusing at times!

Cheers

Tim

I think Graeme's crop is the way to go.

I agree that cropping so the subject is always looking into the frame is best route, and one I often take, however bear in mind rules are made to be broken!