Do not be afraid to crop

Cropping a portrait is a valid option. I remember sending my Mom (RIP) a picture that I took of one of our grandsons, where I cropped part of the top of his head. She emailed me asking if that photo had a second file that included the top of his head. I asked her, when you watch TV, have you not noticed that most scenes show the faces of the actors, and the top of their heads is often cropped?

Here are two pictures that help clearly explain the concept.

 In this picture, the message is all about the picaresque character of the boy. The way he is looking at me and smiling is what is important. The rest of this head does not add any value to the scene. 

Let's discuss why cropping works so well in this second picture.

 It strengthens eye contact
The crop brings the viewer very close to the subject’s eyes. The eyes are sharp, well lit, and positioned near the upper third of the frame. This immediately pulls attention to the expression, which is calm and focused. By removing extra space around the subject, the emotional connection becomes stronger.

 It removes visual distractions
The background is a solid red mat. While it is clean, a wider frame would show more of it without adding information. The tight crop limits the background to just enough color to create contrast with the white gi and the skin tones. This keeps the viewer focused on the face instead of the environment.

It emphasizes facial detail
The crop allows freckles, skin texture, and eye color to be clearly visible. These details add realism and personality to the portrait. If the image were looser, these subtle features would be less noticeable and less impactful.

 It improves composition and balance
The subject’s head is slightly tilted, and the crop follows that angle naturally. This creates a dynamic composition rather than a static one. The framing feels intentional and balanced, with no wasted space pulling the eye away from the subject.

 It supports the story of the image
The karate uniform is still visible enough to communicate context, but it does not dominate the frame. The crop prioritizes the person over the activity, which works well for a portrait focused on character and presence rather than action.

Summarizing. Cropping out part of the head is a valid and widely used compositional choice when done intentionally to strengthen an image. It helps direct attention to the eyes and facial expression, removes unnecessary or distracting space, and creates a more intimate connection between the subject and the viewer. This approach often improves balance by placing key features more effectively within the frame and can result in a cleaner, more impactful composition. This technique is commonly used by professional photographers and is considered a creative decision rather than a technical mistake when it clearly enhances focus, emotion, and visual clarity.