We’re all familiar with the cropping tool in our image editing programs. Unfortunately, it is one of the most widely used editing tools, mainly because it’s easy to forget to frame pictures before snapping the shutter. Yes, it is easy to crop images to get rid of ugly background extras, like empty water bottles, and focus only on the part we want. Or sometimes we do some heavy-duty cropping to zero-in on a subject’s face. But if you are planning on printing your images or enlarging them, you’ll get a sharper end result if you do a little planning before you take your shot.
Photo by 45SURF Hero’s Odyssey Mythology Photography; ISO 800, f/8.0, 2.5-second exposure.
Whenever you crop your photo, you limit the size you can print your image without it looking fuzzy or jagged. If you shoot in high resolution or you only plan to show your photos online, it is not as big of an issue. However, by properly framing your shots in the first place, you will have greater flexibility in what you can do with your photos, and you won’t have to spend so much time cropping.
Here are some tips for properly framing your pictures:
- Take a minute to compose your shot and see what’s in the background before you have people get into position. Then you won’t have to rush to get your shot when your subjects get restless.
Photo by cheriejoyful
- After you’ve added people to the shot, check out what’s in the background on the left and right sides of your subject. Is there a trash can or telephone pole in the way? Better to adjust your shot now than to have to crop it out later.
- Are there objects in the background that could provide an attractive backdrop to your image? Is there something in the background that can provide a natural frame for your picture, such as an attractive doorway or staircase?
- When photographing people with scenery or buildings/monuments in the background, the foreground should be minimized. Try to focus fairly close up on your subjects so they don’t look like tiny ants in front of a giant building — unless, of course, you are attempting to show how big something is in comparison to the people.
- Landscape photos benefit from showing more of the foreground in order to provide a better perspective.
Photo by BRJ INC.; ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/100-second exposure.
- Keep the horizon above the center line of the photo to enhance the composition.
- When photographing a landscape, placing an object in the foreground can greatly enhance the image. It can be interesting to focus on an object in the foreground and let the background blur, or try the reverse: focus on the background and let a foreground object blur.
Photo by Thomas D Mørkeberg; ISO 100, f/16.0, 30-second exposure.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll find you’ll use your cropping tool much less, you’ll keep your printed image sharp, and you’ll increase your creative options—from making enlarged prints and posters to calendars, and even blankets and pillows with your favorite pictures.
About the Author:
Valerie Goettsch is from Digital Photos 101. She is a researcher, reviewer, copywriter, web designer, and graphic artist for the site.
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