Project 52, Week 5, Cropping

Here we are starting the 5th week of the 52 week project and at the end of the first month of the Project 12.  To re-cap, this month we've been learning about the Focal Point, the main subject, the reason for taking the picture in the first place.  We've learned some techniques for concentrating on the focal point:

• Simplification
• What to do if there is more than 1 focal point, including the Rule of Odds
• Rule of Thirds (One of the Golden Rules of photography composition)
• Cropping (this week's topic)

Cropping:
Cropping is a fundamental composition tool which helps you to focus on the subject so you can tell your story more effectively.  It's more than just cutting away the edges of a photograph.  Effective cropping can turn a "snapshot" into a "photograph".

• Decide on your subject. Why are you taking this particular photograph?
• Decide on your story. What do you want the photo to say?
• Focus on your subject.  Do you want to show more close up detail or do you need to include more background to compliment the story line?
• Remove excess negative space.
• Remove distracting elements. 
• Apply the Rule of Thirds or other Golden Rules, when applicable.  (Remember rules can be broken.)
• Cropping portraits:  Be kind
• As a general rule, don't cut off a person's limbs at the joints.
• Don't lop off too many limbs 
• Don't cut off the top of a head (Unless you need to for composition's sake.)

There are 2 ways to "crop" a photograph.  One is "in camera" while you are composing the picture (the preferred method) and one is in the computer with photo-editing software.  (There is a third way - after the photo is printed, trim it with scissors. )

In Camera Cropping  --  To remove distracting elements. 

• If possible, physically remove or move the distractions. 
• Usually removing distractions isn't practical so you may need to move the subject.  Sometimes just moving the subject a little to the left or right will give you a whole different picture.
• Move yourself to get a different viewpoint.  You can't move a mountain (for example) so you may need to move yourself.   Move left, right, up, and down to find the best point of view.
• Rotate the camera. Change from landscape (more wide than tall) to portrait (more tall than wide).
• Fill the frame with the subject. 

In the computer, post-production re-composing:

• See all of the above rules.
• Use photo-editing software of your choice
• Microsoft Office Suite allows you to crop photos easily.  I sometimes practice cropping "professional" photographs to see if I can improve the composition.  (Correct composition is in the eye of the beholder.  It helps if you have a trained eye and good eye sight.)

Suggested Readings and Photographs:
Using Focal Points in Photography by Darren Rouse at Digital Photography School

How To Crop a Photo for Better Composition by Elizabeth West at Photography 101
Cropping Photos: Every Picture Tells a Story at caddpower.com
In Camera Cropping by Wendy Folse at photoinf.com
Cropping in Photography Composition by Rolando Gomez at Lens Diaries
Composition - Cropping by Geoff Lawrence at photoinf.com

Composition - Cropping in Lightroom 3 at Serious Amateur Photography
Use Crop Guides for Better Composition (Photoshop Elements 10) at AdobeTV
Cropping Photos Using the Rule of Thirds (Photoshop) by Sara Horton at Scrapper's Guide