The Cropping Epidemic (Page 2): Yes I can see what you described happening in my own images- Increased noise, decreased resolution! Made me rethink walking away when the object is just...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Yes I can see what you described happening in my own images- Increased noise, decreased resolution! Made me rethink walking away when the object is just too far away. Some scenes are meant to enjoy but not meant to photograph. I would rather post process fewer that have potential than many without. Thanks for that wake up call.

sbohne

Good info there, ESPECIALLY for new users. Well done.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

suntouched wrote:

Yes I can see what you described happening in my own images- Increased noise, decreased resolution! Made me rethink walking away when the object is just too far away. Some scenes are meant to enjoy but not meant to photograph. I would rather post process fewer that have potential than many without. Thanks for that wake up call.

Amen!

For me, I just enjoy being out with the wildlife. If I can get a shot, that makes it even better. I figure if you're only doing nature photography for the photography, you won't be in it for long!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Steve Perry wrote:

Just posted an article I think everyone may enjoy. It covers five ways cropping negatively impacts your images. Take a look:

https://backcountrygallery.com/the-cropping-epidemic/

Very good article Mr. Steve, I admit to having gone through a period of "everything will be better cropped" until I started to realize what you so eloquently explain. I limit my crop range to approx. 1.2 to 1.4 crop, would be my loose estimate, if needed. I went back to spending more time "filling the frame" as you say, and my shots are better for it.
Good job my man! (And no blushing).

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

Thank you, Steve; great article!

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Excellent article Steve, very informative, well explained, and with the images to show the results and effects of cropping to much.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

A very good article Steve, about the pitfalls of heavy handed cropping.
What you state is true, as I have been there and done it.
I try to frame my shots to have a little leeway around the edges so I don't clip parts off.
Then I may also want to crop a little to shift the subject some to get a better composition.
I find your articles and videos informative and helpful in many ways.
Thanks for what you do.

will

ChristianHJensen

Steve Perry wrote:

Thanks for the kind words - it's been a pretty popular article, I thought it might be helpful to post here.

I also think the way of thinking behind a camera has a lot to do with whether people grew up with film or digital. Back in the film days most of us were far more strict about using the entire frame than peeps growing up with digital as many digital pics are very often used in small sizes thus the crappiness of heavy electronic "zooming" is less obvious - the peeps on FB don't care

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Thanks again for the kind words everyone :) I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

ChristianHJensen wrote:

I also think the way of thinking behind a camera has a lot to do with whether people grew up with film or digital. Back in the film days most of us were far more strict about using the entire frame than peeps growing up with digital as many digital pics are very often used in small sizes thus the crappiness of heavy electronic "zooming" is less obvious - the peeps on FB don't care

That's an incredibly good point.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

ChristianHJensen wrote:

I also think the way of thinking behind a camera has a lot to do with whether people grew up with film or digital. Back in the film days most of us were far more strict about using the entire frame than peeps growing up with digital as many digital pics are very often used in small sizes thus the crappiness of heavy electronic "zooming" is less obvious - the peeps on FB don't care

Steve Perry wrote:

That's an incredibly good point.

I agree. A few of us snapping away, I'll wonder what the heck does she see in that shot?
At a wedding: I shoot an object, and it's the obvious subject. She's shooting her BFF whose pose obscures it. I crop for effect: I shot a boat thru the trees- I kept @ 90% reframing the shot. I shot a bulbous bridesmaid- she wanted to show off her dress and how it fitted, her jewelry and her makeup; her BF wanted the same shot but just the face and some cleavage. I did the big pano thing, and spent some PS time fixing it to look right- nooo. Everybody came up afterward and wanted just this one different crop- only from here to her. *sigh* I got what I brung. I shot their 2 year old blowing out the birthday cake candles- various young females asking: "Well?!?! Where am I?!?!" *sigh* I got the kid good, tho- pokey pucker. flames just bending.
Then again, once I started with the Canon 6mp. I'm keeping with digital. I still think my film photos look better. I live in LA, SoCal. I went to a wedding in San Diego on a Saturday, hundreds of shots. I show up at the farewell Sunday brunch with choice printed pictures and some DVDs. No muss. no fuss, no waiting.
I used to shoot 6x9 - 8 shots per roll, no volume discounts for bad shooting. Crop with scissors.