Rick Fox

I firmly believe cropping is a SIGNIFICANT percentage of a good photograph. I think cropping, frequently, separates a snapshot from a photograph. That being said... after a session, what is the best crop size for clients who do not specify a preference... or, ...when editing a large number of photos from a trip, what size should the crop be for unspecified future use?

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

It would be subjective to the sort of shot taken ie; landscape, model, street, food and drink etc. as well as the clients individual needs.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

There is no 'universal crop size'. There are different standards that exist for printing commercial images.

Cropping can and does enhance an image. It is even a de facto requirement when you print something for a client or yourself. This is basically where you separate the little from the big boys... The big boys know crop will be needed and plan for it, using the most restrictive ratio and leaving space for whatever framing that may also be used after printing.

A crop is image dependent and cannot be 'serialized' unless you use a tripod shooting the same scene w/o changing the camera perspective and lens.

Bill_de Loc: US

First, I am my only client so I have know requirements. Most everything I post or email is done 8x6. For future use I go back to the original and crop it and edit it for the next use.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That depends a lot on the subject and the purpose of the shot. Cropping to a standard size - 5 x 7, 8 x 10 - would be a safe practice.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Cropping depends on a number of things and, usually, is not something that is universal in nature:
1. The scene, can you chop off parts of the image scene without losing viewing impact?
2. Do you print the images or only use them electronically?
3. If you print, do you want a standard mat size and to order bulk mats or do you intend to buy or cut each mat individually?

On 1. Landscapes often look better in the native 3:2 or 2:3 of a digital camera, which is one reason landscape photographers often prefer larger format sensors in cameras. However, birds and other wild animals can often be cropped to 11 x 14 ( a more to the square side of cropping) format and nothing is lost but un-needed branches. Portraits would fall into the 11 x 14 or 8 x 10 category, too.

On 2. If you only use electronically, on the web or email or Facebook or where ever, you can crop as you want and there will be no impact on matting and framing.

On 3. If you print it can get costly when you are buying mats to buy them one at a time specially cut. I buy mats in bulk at certain sizes, mostly digital-based, but some 11 x 14, too, and this cost me less in the long run. Getting each mat cut to a different size may be expensive over time if you print a lot.

What I do: I leave most landscape images in their original digital size. For wildlife I may or may not crop depending on what it does to the scene. For people I may crop for an individual but may leave it in digital format if the scene is part of the story. I can always quickly crop as needed if a print requires that. I think the "general public" still goes mostly with the 11 x 14 or 8 x 10 or 16 x 20 thing, although there is more and more access to digital sizes for mats and frames.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I never crop anything for an "unspecified future use". I always leave the original file uncropped and crop for specific uses. If you crop to a certain proportions and then later need to print in different proportions, you may need the space you cropped out.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

P.S. On cropping, if one "shoots for the shot," then any cropping needed is minimal. This is harder to do with wildlife. I have seen people, however, who shoot "wide," then move in with a crop to find the image. This might work out well enough for digital use, but not so good for printing use unless you print mostly small prints. Just a thought on the subject.

Linary Loc: UK

I crop using Lightroom or Photoshop - both non-destructive. I can crop to 8 x 10, A4, A5, 5 x 7 etc, and still go back for more. The original remains in full size.

BebuLamar

If the is a universal crop size then why not simply making the camera with that size?

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

On the old full frame film cameras 30% crop was a suggestion as I understand it. I read it somewhere but can't remember why....possibly lens abberation or Paralax.

Haven't seen anything about a standard crop using digital - perhaps because you can vary the image parameters in the menu or in PP

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

There is no such thing, nor will there ever be, each image needs a "crop of its own" ( if it needs one at all). In short, it depends on the image!!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I’m going to approach this from the point of view of a photographer-client relationship. If, as you state, you are your own client, the relationship is moot.

One nice thing about contemporary software is that you can try several formats and, either chose the one that pleases you or provide the client with a variety; if the image is not right, revert and try again. Also remember that a crop does NOT have to conform to one of the “standard” aspect ratios; a picture may look best at 7-3/32 X 17-19/32. Finally, if you are working with a client that is familiar with standard aspect ratios, give them the whole image (as shot) and let them do the PP; just make it clear that you still own the copyright and any changes are subject to your approval.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Indeed, Jerry is correct and in keeping with the practical reality of frames and print paper. [*x10, oops * is a capital 8] 8x10 is fine giving a bit to fit under the mat. I recall some UHH espousing big prints for display in his home!! come on now.... 8x10 with "canvas like mount" allows you many photos. 16x24 gobbles up a wall quickly.

So when possible I print using ON1 resize to give me mirror edge images to roll under hard board... we [or at least Jerry and I] live in a real and practical world.. Sure for those who exhibit in museums etc special sizes with custom mats is fine. My hat is off to them.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC