Cynthia St. Charles Store

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Cropping Dilemma


I have been tidying up the studio.
I came across this piece - which I started years ago. Last winter I finished the quilting. Then - I set it aside because I could not decide whether to crop it or just finish it off at full size. There was a wonky side that was really kind of bothering me, but I wasn't sure it was serious enough to remove 1/4th of the quilt!

So, here it is at full size (above).
Below are a few detail images. At the very bottom of the post, you will see a cropped version.


Does the cropped version look better than the full image? (or should even more be removed from the right side of the pueblo?)
Seeing it on my blog like this helps me a lot. I am now inclined to just finish it off at full size without cropping, but I would be interested in your opinions.
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15 comments:

  1. Cherie in St LouisWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 8:02:00 AM MST

    I think the original full size version is better as the cropped version seems crowded somehow. I really like this piece.

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  2. MarveLes Art StudiosWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 8:25:00 AM MST

    Normally, I think I would agree with the cropped version to get rid of "wonkiness" ... but the full-size version is much for appealing to me, personally. It's more of a panoramic view that suits the rays/piecing of the big blue sky... and that's what I like the best! VERY nice! Love the colors.

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  3. Cate RoseWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 8:38:00 AM MST

    Cynthia, I think cropping it gives it more interest, brings the subject closer to the viewer. If you crop more on the right, I would still leave it a bit bigger than the left side of the pueblo. And it's a gorgeous piece. Love what you've done with the sky!

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  4. Jackie KirnerWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 9:26:00 AM MST

    Striking colors!

    The image that jumped out for me is the 3rd picture - the detail image of the left side (I think). Very dramatic!

    It's so tough to judge from a picture on a little screen...

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  5. RuthWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:17:00 AM MST

    If I was going to crop it, I would just take off the right side and leave the left side as is. Maybe just eliminating one building on the right.

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  6. annWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:57:00 AM MST

    I think it is MUCH BETTER left as it is. When cropped, It looks like you ran out of room + the quilting in streamers is then too far to the left.

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  7. bj paradyWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 4:05:00 PM MST

    I, too, like the original, uncropped version better. The extra negative space helps keep the piece more balanced, IMHO.

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  8. The Idaho BeautyWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 4:13:00 PM MST

    I think you have to be careful about taking too much off the right side because of the sky above. There is such a contrast there and as you crop, you get a more and more defined vertical rectangle of dark that starts to pull the eye in a distracting way.

    What I find particularly interesting is that almost any of your detail shots makes an excellent composition on their own. You could almost chop up the piece, mount the different "crops" and then hang them as a grouping. How brave are you? vbg

    Ultimately though, I think it would be fine as you left it when you thought it had a problem. It has an interesting rambling feel to it, and the sky on the right side works much better in the full version.

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  9. GerrieWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 5:06:00 PM MST

    I agree with Connie. I like it cropped and maybe a bit more on the right.

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  10. knutty knitterWednesday, March 9, 2011 at 10:05:00 PM MST

    I think I prefer it as is. Cropping it makes it look rather too busy and lacking in space.

    viv in nz

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  11. LuAnn KessiThursday, March 10, 2011 at 5:34:00 AM MST

    Hi Cynthia,
    The uncropped version gives the best visual presence.
    That big, open sky sets the piece off nicely.
    Good Luck with your decision,
    LuAnn in Oregon
    kessi@pioneer.net
    http://luannkessi.blogspot.com/

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  12. Doreen K.Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 7:15:00 AM MST

    Love this piece. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My eye likes the original.

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  13. AngelaThursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:00:00 AM MST

    I like the full picture better, it looks more complete to me than the cropped version - if that makes any sense at all ?!!

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  14. cjThursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:04:00 AM MST

    I like it as is. It has a more organic feel to me. If you crop on the right, a really yummy slice of that beautiful sky will be lost.

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  15. AnonymousThursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:31:00 AM MST

    My first thought was to cut it into thirds, but I've reconsidered and am thinking it makes a powerful statement as is. The sky is incredible. The building is full of interest. I wouldn't change a thing. Jan Myhre

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