How much 'negative' space is too much?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Lacey,

Thank you for your post. Hmm, I see what you mean about the cat being cropped in the first one. I didn't want the cat to draw too much attention, I was thinking he would be a minor part of the portrait. He would have to be a white cat! But if I can't crop him successfully, then I've got the whole cat in the photo.

It's not absolutely necessary that the cat be in the painting, though I would prefer it, as I'm sure my daughter would. But not to the detriment of the painting.

I think you mean to pull down the border on the second one? More space around the bottom of the photo?

Thank you again,

Joan