Yes I like showing whole deer, its just that the cut field is so blah to me that I almost always go for the portrait shot with these.
Nice portrait.
Hi James.
Were you trying to crop too much in the top photo? No, I don't think so. In fact, you could crop even closer and it would be a good shot.
The bottom shot has a nice look to it with the fog. However, the deer is standing in the very center of the photo, which makes it a static image. It would have been better if you had positioned the deer in the upper left for two reasons. First, by offsetting the deer, the image becomes more dynamic and the viewer's eye does not keep circling the deer looking for something. Secondly, the eyes of the deer provide a virtual leading line because of where he is looking, and it is often best to provide more space for him and the viewer to look into.
I don't think so James. You seem to have enough detail to crop that far and the warming colors do the deer justice. I don't think I would crop any closer or you would not have sufficient space around the antlers for a comfortable view. It's a lovely portrait that way it is.