It's interesting that you say that, because as I was following this thread, I noticed that it was you who finally nailed your own image submission, and I think that was because you were more willing than anyone else to really start chopping fingers. You'd think strangers to the subject and specific image taking process would be able to be more ruthless, but perhaps it was because our emotional investment in the image had just begun while you had had the time and, especially, discipline to divest yourself of any attachment.
I know I have a hard time cropping because I can always see in my mind the parts that are missing, and it feels wrong somehow (I also tend to frame too tight; comes from being weened on 35mm and minilab prints). In a recent case, though, I found that adding a border really helped with this. Actually, I find borders (or at least, the canvas) in general to be quite important and invaluable. Many of the edits that stood out to me in this thread had a lot to do with this.
I could elaborate more, but my thoughts are getting more nebulous and difficult to unscramble at the moment. Someone else can pick up the ball if they like.
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