|
Mike,
I prefer Michele's cropping over the uncropped version, and also over the original cropping, for exactly the reasons that Mari suggests. The crossed arms gesture imparts an air of self-consciousness that robs her of some of the sweetness of the other compositions. She seems to be more of a coquette with the crossed arms.
At the same time the inclusion of the blouse line finishes the bottom of the composition and settles the issue of her state of dress. Since we all saw the first version first, we'll never know what effect Michele's version would have had. Nevertheless, I respond strongly to Michele's version as well.
By all means the leaves have to stay!
Astonishing - isn't it? - how powerfully these compositional changes affect our perceptions.
|