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4. Crop at eye level

Photo Credit: Denish C

What about when you do want your subject centred, like in a portrait?
The rule of thirds still applies. Make sure the subject is centred at eye
level (one third down the canvas, or the top horizontal line on a rule of
thirds grid).
If possible, you’ll want the subject’s eyes to line up with the top two
intersections on the rule of thirds grid. This gives the feeling of eye
contact, which engages and compels the audience.
Keeping your subject’s eyes just below the top third of the image makes
them more engaging

5. When cropping faces, leave some breathing room

Photo Credit: Nathan O’Nions
Don’t crop your subject’s face so close to the edge that it creates a feeling
of claustrophobia. Think of the edge of your cropping area as a wall.
When you’re standing with your face right up against a wall, it’s easy to
feel a sense of anxiety.
That’s how your audience will feel if you crop a subject’s face too close to
the edge. But when the subject is moved back and given some breathing
room the picture is much more relaxed and pleasing to the eye.
Don’t crowd your subject’s face by cropping too closely