Holly by the sea edge

[Flash in the pan]

Hi all
I spent a few nights down at Robe (SA Coast) with the family and quickly grabbed this shot (D80) of my oldest (4) daughter playing by the freezing sea.


I have spent an hour trying to crop and you can see the original below. I think this is the best solution. I really wanted to keep as much of the light reflections in but the distant breakwater and horizon seemed to distract. what do you think?

[sirhc55]

This photo, represented as two versions, has credit in both directions. The cropped version gives the viewer a sense of total isolation, which I like. The full shot is also commendable because, IMO, it still shows isolation but of a different type. The sense of nearby humanity enhances the sense of connection even when isolated. I like both versions.

[Marvin]

I prefer the cropped version. I think the focus is more on Holly than on the area around her.

[Oneputt]

I really like the uncropped version and echo Chris's comments.

[Flash in the pan]

...now I feel better about spending an hour trying to crop it. There doesn't seem to be an absolute solution to crop or not to crop!

Thanks anyway for the input.