Do you crop tight in-camera?
Apr 12, 2017 03:21:22 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Ernie Misner wrote:
Back in the film days, and with my early digital c... (show quote)
I guess it's a matter of personal style. I crop occasionally but mostly compose and frame how I want the finished image to look. If I add unneeded space "just in case", I find it more difficult to visualize the end product. The way I compose it in my viewfinder is the way I want to see it. And yes, occasionally I regret it if the horizon or some element is off kilter. Leaving extra room all the time would also mean cropping every image which is a pain. My 7D Mark II viewfinder has grid lines and an excellent level in the viewfinder which indicates pitch and yaw and together they help eliminate a significant number of the horizon type issues.
Apr 12, 2017 05:38:39 #
wdross wrote:
I will crop tight unless I have a reason to crop a little loose. I would estimate 90% tight, 10% loose. Yes, one can lose some room for correction by going tight. But I feel one should shoot more than a one shot composition (if possible) and from as many points of view as time and subject allows. This, for me, usually returns at least one tight composition that leaves as little need for editing as possible.
How many pixels do you need for your intended print or display size?
With 16-24mp being common these days, I have no compunction about leaving room for PP cropping. Cheap insurance.
No, - not lazy - prudent.
Apr 12, 2017 05:52:55 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Ernie Misner wrote:
Back in the film days, and with my early digital c... (show quote)
Personal choice.
Apr 12, 2017 06:32:35 #
Ernie Misner wrote:
Back in the film days, and with my early digital c... (show quote)
All depends on subject or what your trying to portray .
Apr 12, 2017 06:47:36 #
For me, I find that cropping tight in the camera helps me achieve better overall composition. It forces me to take a moment to ask "What is this a picture of?" Instead of just firing away. I do crop in post-processing because not everything in 2X3 or I will see a different perspective then that I did not see originally.
Apr 12, 2017 07:01:43 #
You can not always crop the way you want in the camera by shooting as tight as possible. There are shots that can not be photographed tight. You might want to change you mind about the shot at a later date. Do what you want to do. If you are happy with the results. OK. Don't try to copy someone else style.
Apr 12, 2017 07:10:34 #
Morning Star wrote:
Who cares what a well known pro photographer says or does?
Are you happy with the way you have been taking photos and afterwards have the choices you want?
Then I'd say, " Ignore that photographer and continue what you're doing!"
Are you happy with the way you have been taking photos and afterwards have the choices you want?
Then I'd say, " Ignore that photographer and continue what you're doing!"
Each to their own... And, leaving a bit of "wiggle-room" is a good thing. Having it available is better than not having it at all!Apr 12, 2017 07:32:19 #
Ernie Misner wrote:
Back in the film days, and with my early digital c... (show quote)
Shoot a few different shots varying the tightness. if you're shooting a building close up and need to correct in post, you best have room. I like to fill my lens but I have gotten into trouble using 3:2 format and a customer says I want 8x10 or 11x14(non 2:3) and you have to crop. This can turn a good picture into crap. If it is only about you, then crop as little as possible although, we have tons of pixels to play with.
When in doubt, leave room - you can't add back in(less PS trickery).
Apr 12, 2017 07:49:02 #
Jeffcs
Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I found the thread interesting that some said they cropped in camera as do I those who came from the film days had to get it right in camera experience with transparency films
And when out shooting in public listening to the conversations around how the younger shooter has a tendency to get the image and correct everything in Photoshop after chimping they look at the back of the camera after every shot and proudly state I'll fix that in photoshop
And when out shooting in public listening to the conversations around how the younger shooter has a tendency to get the image and correct everything in Photoshop after chimping they look at the back of the camera after every shot and proudly state I'll fix that in photoshop
Apr 12, 2017 08:05:34 #
Apr 12, 2017 08:11:20 #
For me, it depends on what I'm shooting. Shooting macro almost always requires cropping so I'd rather do it than the camera. Pretty much the same with fast moving subjects. Portraits & landscapes, not so much.
Apr 12, 2017 08:19:32 #
Morning Star wrote:
Who cares what a well known pro photographer says or does?
Are you happy with the way you have been taking photos and afterwards have the choices you want?
Then I'd say, " Ignore that photographer and continue what you're doing!"
Are you happy with the way you have been taking photos and afterwards have the choices you want?
Then I'd say, " Ignore that photographer and continue what you're doing!"
Best answer yet. As for me I am not good enough to crop exactly in camera. I find it much easier to crop things out than trying to put things in.
Apr 12, 2017 08:20:08 #
StanRP
Loc: Ontario Canada
Ernie Misner wrote:
Back in the film days, and with my early digital c... (show quote)
Hi Ernie,
There is another point to consider - viewfinder coverage. While DSLR/SLR cameras with a pentaprism viewfinder can get 100% coverage, those that use mirrors get ~ 95% and this would automatically give an image seen in the viewfinder some extra cover.
This is a link to a chart showing the viewfinder coverage of some cameras:
http://www.neocamera.com/article/viewfinder_sizes
StanRP
Apr 12, 2017 08:22:12 #
My subject matter is usually wildlife and BIF. Most of the time, I shoot with either my Nikon D5200 or D7200 with a telephoto zoom (55-300, 80-400, or 150-600). When I first started shooting digital, I had a habit of cropping in as tightly as possible in camera. That was sometimes a problem when having enlargements made. Now I leave a little space in camera around my subject - not much - just enough to give me enough wiggle room to do some straightening or to crop out a distraction near the edges. That approach has worked very well for me.
Apr 12, 2017 08:23:48 #
I disagree. If you do any of your own printing you will find that cropping perfectly in the camera as you shoot, although great if you can may force you to lose some of the image you want to preserve depending on what size print you are making. I do exactly what you do to give me the latitude in post I need to give me exactly what I want. With today's cameras you can do this. My prints look great!
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