Images are cropped for a variety of reasons
Before listing & commenting on them individually
Let me group them into two categories
1. Cropped for a good reason
2. Cropped out of laziness or sloppiness
.
Three Calla Lillies
A 4X5 ratio image made in-camera with a Nikon D800E (2×3 ratio)
I needed a file for a free 8×10 metal print (retail $25)
I also needed some examples for today’s post
Two birds with one stone
D800 images have area options shown in this D800 menu (left)
I used the bottom option to shoot the above image
You’d get the same result using FX & cropping in post-processing
It’s interesting to compare the DX area’s pixel count
With my two DX models’ resolution
D70 – 6 MP & D300 – 12MP (vs. 15 MP in the D800E)
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About me & cropping (YMMV)
First let me say that, where possible, my goal at capture is –
Fill the frame top to bottom & left to right
No crops in post-processing
Sometimes this can work against you, but it’s my general goal
Example of “works against you” –
You shot 6×4 but customer needs 5×4
If you filled the frame, what gets cut?
You put it all there for a reason
See the final example
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Possible reasons for cropping –
1. Aspect ratio mismatch
Today’s feature image fits this category
The camera’s native aspect ratio (6:4)
Doesn’t match the required print ratio of 5:4
Crop is the only alternative
2. Subject doesn’t match camera’s aspect ratio
This next image might fit this situation
After I framed the shot to
Fill the frame and obtain my desired spacing
Equi-spacing from left, right and top of frame
A bud vase top intruded into the bottom of the frame
(I saw it, that’s not the issue –
I couldn’t eliminate it & still maintain the spacing;
Getting closer pushes the lilies into the frame edges)
Not seeing it would have fallen into the “sloppy” category
Solution – a small crop from the bottom in post-processing)
3. Enlarge image (digital zoom)
Shot needed a macro lens (or a long telephoto)
Which you didn’t have
Either way you wanted the subject larger
Cropping gives the equivalent of digital zoom
As long as the camera’s resolution supports it
4. Shoot now; decide on how to crop/frame later
This is the lazy/sloppy approach
Leave lots of room on all 4 sides of the subject
Later, crop as desired –
Up to & including a horizontal image from a vertical
Large resolution sensors encourage this (poor) thinking
If you cropped over half of a D800’s image area away
There would still be 15MP left – plenty for most prints
(See DX in the image area menu above)
The crop below still leaves over 16 MB!
33% more than my D300 full-resolution
Talk about little or no penalty for sloppiness 😦
5. Oops!
Usually due to not inspecting
The edges of the frame (viewfinder) carefully at capture
You upload your files and darn!
Where did that branch come from?
If the viewfinder doesn’t have 100% coverage
This is easy to do
Do you know your viewfinder’s coverage?
You should; could be as low as 90%
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Don’t expect others to respect your images (and wishes)
Last month I was asked to provide (freebie) this next image
Our golf club was making a new scorecard
Wanted the image of the clubhouse for the cover
Sure – under the following conditions:
I get a photo credit
No post-processing
That include NO-CROPPING!!
I get approval before it is printed
Contact me with any questions or problems
I pre-approved their using a logo (& added my own credit)
—–
Here is what they sent me for approval before printing
That all caps NO CROPPING!! must have
Escaped their attention 😦
Although under other conditions this crop might be OK
OR – even better than my original
I had my reasons – and they totally ignored me
When I asked WHY?? the answer was predictable
My image’s size didn’t match their pre-designed template
(Heaven forbid that they change the template)
—–
I was asked for a suggestion, and suggested the following
Presumably this is what they sent to
The golf committee for approval
Been several weeks & I haven’t heard
This is an example of the advantage of being an amateur
Who doesn’t sell images – and doesn’t want to
Internal Revenue Service, take note
Just in case the government|NSA reads my blog 😉
Who shoots for himself – not for judges or clients
I can set firm rules and not be concerned with losing a sale
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Okay, taking a deep breath here.
I agree with all you say… to a point. A lot of my photography is taken on guided tours. Often, I’m VERY limited on the time available to set up, frame and shoot. When you’re being guided through a venue, it’s difficult (often impossible) to wander off and get that ‘perfect’ angle. You definitely have little control over lighting, etc. Some of my better shots were ‘targets of opportunity’ grabbed while passing. In these cases, you shoot what you can shoot and pray you’ll be able to frame a dynamic image in post-processing. Would I like to have a week to image Versailles? You bet, but when you’ve only got a couple of hours…
Regards, Travis
No disagreement here with anything you said. I should have prefaced my remarks (certainly #4) with – “Sloppy/lazy applies assuming you were able & had time to frame the shot properly – but didn’t.”
Have a nice trip. See you after 7/9.