This started as a much larger image that I felt was pretty weak. Quite by accident, the lower right areas were masked off by some other trash laying around and I gave the image a second look. I tried several different crops, and felt that the closer I got to those concentrating eyes, the better the image got.
What do you think of the present image?
Do you think I've over cropped it? Here is an earlier (less severe) crop attempt.

-- John Thurston (John_Thurston@my-deja.com), October 17, 2000

Answers

I like the 'less cropped' image myself. I guess my mind wants to know where he is putting his green noodles, and I like to see more of his head.

-- Brian Reeves (brianr@alpha1.net), October 17, 2000.

The bottom shouldn't be cropped so heavily. The noodles need at least something to be heading into. I think the photo works, though. He's really cute. I love how intent-looking kids can get when they're doing something. His eyes aren't really in focus, but I realize his eyes aren't the point of interest, but they kind of ought to be if they're to remain in the photograph. His eyes are more important than the thing he's squeezing the noddles from. Maybe this one was too close. Just an ultra-tiny bit over exposed.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), October 17, 2000.

Actually I like this a lot, and I like it much better than the less cropped version. The tight crop help focus the viewers attention on the same thing that the childs attention is focused on, and lets us "into his world" so to speak, which IMO is a very fine quality in a child portrait. Enough is visible of his eyes to show his concentration.

-- Christel Green (look.no@film.dk), October 18, 2000.

I think you did not crop strong enough. A strong crop to the left bottom half of the image would give you a tremendous still life/abstract of just the hands and the toy, without the need to show the childs face.

If you wish I can crop it the way I see it and post it here. Just let me know if its ok with you.

-- Altaf Shaikh (nissar@idt.net), October 18, 2000.

This is typical without being a cliche - congratulations. I think the crop makes it much more effective, although I would agree with Tony that you need a little more of the bowl visible to stop the noodles from hitting the buffers too hard.

I really like the sense of concentration and the positioning of the face behind the cold hard metal of the garlic press, but for me it's the tension in those sticky fingers which give this an authentic feel. You can almost hear the little huff-puff noises.

-- Struan Gray (struan.gray@sljus.lu.se), October 18, 2000.

Altaf, go for it. Crop away.
I twice tried to e-mail you but bounced both times.

-- John Thurston (john_thurston@my-deja.com), October 20, 2000.

My apologies the cookie on the other computer had the old email address, please feel free to email me at the above address.

-- Altaf Shaikh (bshaikh@nyc.rr.com), October 22, 2000.