I think it looks fine exactly as it is, but I am having a bit of a crisis of confidence at the moment so best listen to the others ;o)

Bill Phillips: I hope the crisis passes soon Mike...where will I be without your wise words?

It's a beautiful shot just as it is, but the crop you mention would frame the top of the image very nicely.

Bill Phillips: Thanks Red Pen, I have a feeling it would be ok either way

Actually, Bill, If I cropped it at all, I'd only crop out that first light at the top. But I agree with Mike that it also stands as it is. The shadowplay is just sublime.

Bill Phillips: The original crop was to get rid of an over bright sky and a touch more would perhaps have been better. Thanks Ginnie

I love the shadows and the little purple flowers ... I have the same ones in my garden ... Victoria loves offering me them ...

Bill Phillips: The bluebells don't last long but they are wonderful while they do

Enough about cropping I just love the view cheers Bill

Bill Phillips: Well that's fine by me

Great depth and detail caused ny the angle of light here Bill. It seems to work well as a composition too, with the tress combining at the top.

Bill Phillips: Thanks Chad, that's good enough for me!

ITS excellent as it is Bill

Bill Phillips: I'll leave it alone then vintage.Thanks

Change not one iota of this, o great artist & twiddleiser. This is a wonderful composition

Bill Phillips: If it's good enough for you....well it's good enough for you Thanks Chris.

Fantastic just as it is Bill.

Bill Phillips: Thanks very much Aussie

I would say definitely no to cropping (you see that compared to Blackdog today I have no hesitation!). To crop it would make the composition look rather squashed - it needs that extra bit at the top to balance the expanse of grass and to give the archway some space. I like the way you have included a few bluebells bottom right to tie the foreground with the background. It is a lovely image.
Ingrid

Bill Phillips: No crop it is then! Actually reading your and Mary's comments has made my mind up!

I think it's fine as it shows where the long shadows come from.

Bill Phillips: That's a good point and the clincher! It stays as it is!

Simply beautiful ! Zen picture

Bill Phillips: Thank you very much for your comments. Nice of you to visit. I will come and see your pictures

Beautiful shot Bill. I really like it as is!

Bill Phillips: That seems to be the consensus, so I shall leave well alone

You've really got us going today Bill over the cropping discussion on what is a very pleasant photo. For me, I would take a bit off the top. I tend to cover what I want to keep and then see if I am losing anything important in the bit I intend to crop. It doesn't always work but is a useful guide.

Bill Phillips: I have cropped this and couldn't make up my mind about further cropping. I tried several variations but settled on this. I usually make up my mind on things like this but couldn't this time!! Thanks for your comments as always Brian

Great lighting here, just love the faded colours and I would not crop it at all.

Bill Phillips: Thanks Astrid. Tapping to good effect!!

I can't remember if I have visited your blog before. From your archive it is my loss

This picture is great as it is. The shadows and backlight is special.

Your composition question from a bit more theoretic viewpoint: you can divide the picture in vertical thirds from left to right. Also in horisontal thirds from top to bottom. So you have two sets of thirds to consider. In this portrait style picture the branches and twigs forming the bough is about the top third. From the bough to the base of the trees is another third. The meadow with the shadows is the bottom third. Roughly.

From this consideration, if you want to drop - do it from the bottom to equalise the thirds. ButI like the shadows ...

Bill Phillips: Thanks Louis. I use the rule of thirds to compose pictures, but sometimes you feel that breaking the rule would make a better picture. You are right with the analysis and that was why I cropped the original in part, plus to get rid of an over bright sky. It's one of the great things about Shutterchance that people are willing to give helpful advice.

I like it as it is, Bill. I can see why you're thinking of cropping but I think it would spoil the lovely image.

Bill Phillips: I agree, I am going to leave it alone.

lovely scene once again Bill, like the strong shadows and yes i think i would have gone with the crop

Bill Phillips: Fair enough Tim. I have come round to leaving it as is. I tried the crop again and compared the two and I prefer this

wonderful lightening! I wouldn't crop the pic because of its (half-half) symmetry- the darker 'roof' and arch of the branches and the bright green of the meadow with the violet flowers, the long shadows of the trees and the trees correspond with each other! I very like this spring-pic!

Bill Phillips: Thanks Philine. Yes I have decided to leave it as it is!

Wonderful light and composition ! Bravo !

Bill Phillips: Thank you my friend!

lovely photo of nature.

Bill Phillips: Thanks Arash