Cropping off human limbs (no images)

[PhotoScout]

Is there a general rule on where you should cut someone's arm, leg, feet, or hands in an image if you have too?

Sometimes when you might need to re-crop an image during PP, part of a limb might have to be cropped out which leaves the person with a stump.

This wouldn't be a concern if the shot was composed properly in the first place.

Your thoughts?

[Sam]

I'm sure there is a "rule" but I try to stick to mid thigh for the legs and mid bicep for the arms. Just because it looks natural to me. Although, photography is an art despite what all the gadget geeks and sharpness police tell you :) Do what looks best to you. If you are not following the rule then good for you.

[JMHPhotography]

I think it's widely accepted to crop above the knees and above the elbows.

[firstfirefly]

I've heard to try to avoid chopping off at joints - knees, elbows etc, so I think Solinger is probably correct.

[PhotoScout]

I thought long and hard to remember what would be best before I posted my question. We went over these things in my 8th grade photography class (circa 1972) but it slipped my mind for some reason.

Thanks for the advice.