went malling today...a trip to one of the local shopping malls that is....took camera, and took a few shots of this and that....need suggestions on this image. I've cropped it a dozen different ways and can't seem to get comfortable with one, so I'm open to suggestions from anyone who cares to offer. this is the un-cropped semi-original. I have tweaked the color down just a touch...but can't decide how to best crop it....

Always good shooting at the mall- hmmm- imo- I guess I'd lasso the 3 dolls & cut & paste as a new image, then decide on a background or just clone out the top left corner (price tag & dreamcatcher) & blend- I'd be interested to see what others have to say too-

Hmmm.....I keep coming back and looking at this....and I really think it's the fact that the DOF is so deep that it really distracts from the doll in the foreground. Also my eye wants to see more of the the main subject so I think you cropped the lower right to tightly in camera. Don't take this the wrong way....I like this image.... I'm not sure how you could crop it now to get a better composition...of course you could blur up the background a bit if you wanted....I don't know....all just IMHO.

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Personally I really like this image, but I have to go along with Michelle for the DOF aspect of it. That doll is crying out for some little girl to come along and take her home. Not sure how to explain how I would do it. Would be easier to show for me. But not sure that is okay to do here. Being this is my first post here.

I'm not very good at PS. So, if my work sucks...I already know it. Anyway, this is how I would try to improve the pic. But I agree...the 3 dolls running at a slant are the items wanted. That's what seems, to me, to make it hard to crop. So, I cut off what appeared to be hair of another doll on the bottom...didn't lose much (but I couldn't go too high or else I'd lose her hand on the animal). So, I cloned the frill of the dress the rest of the way to keep the crop down. I didn't like the arm and legs hanging into the pic in the upper-right. So, I did the best I could there...cropping down a bit from top and getting creative (well, as best as I can...hehe) in that area. Hoping the focus would be on the three dolls and not much attention paid to what I had done there...LOL. Anyway, it's a very nice picture. The porcelin look on the doll in the foreground is precious! I thought about flippin the whole thing horizontal so the dolls would be looking to the right...the same way most people read...but left it alone to make it easier to see what I had tried. It was fun and challenging. Not sure whether it helped or not...but good experience.

Hi Guys/Gals : Hope i am not stepping on any ones toes here . I tried this and liked it but its only one of many things you could do with this photo. I still didnt get the lighting and color mixture like I wanted . Just the idea view is all .

that works, thanks tasquah, I'm always open to suggestions! Jack

Works for me to Tasquah, taking the focus off the background and back on the subject. Might just tone down the background hi lights and stop them competing with the dolls face. :O)

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing. Salvador Dali

Mysnaps : yep , good point now that you mention it I see what you mean .