Cropping for the Subject vs. Cropping for the Picture Frame
Jan 12, 2022 10:51:31 #
azemon
Loc: Saint Charles, MO, USA
These days, I find that I am less interested in cropping my photos to fit the picture frame and more inclined to crop them to fit the subject. Sure, when I am creating a wallpaper for my computer, I crop in a 16:9 ratio but for landscapes and such.... Here is one example. I originally posted this cropped 16:9 (because I was lazy) and I am attaching that version on the bottom for convenience. But I actually prefer the top crop, where I have eliminated most of the street and much of the sky.
In a different post, some folks suggested that I crop out the large mostly-white boring building on the left. I actually like it and want to keep it. I like the patterns in the metal and I like the shadows being cast on it by the signpost.
What do you think of odd-shaped crops? How would you display something like this, if you printed it? Would you print it wide and narrow and then custom frame it? Would you cut it into multiple 11x14 or 16x20 pictures, frame them individually, and hang them next to each other? Something else entirely?
In a different post, some folks suggested that I crop out the large mostly-white boring building on the left. I actually like it and want to keep it. I like the patterns in the metal and I like the shadows being cast on it by the signpost.
What do you think of odd-shaped crops? How would you display something like this, if you printed it? Would you print it wide and narrow and then custom frame it? Would you cut it into multiple 11x14 or 16x20 pictures, frame them individually, and hang them next to each other? Something else entirely?
Jan 12, 2022 12:18:02 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
My very subjective two cents: I like the first one much better, although I'd add a little more space on the bottom, as it strikes me as a little "busy" or heavy on the bottom. Definitely love the shadow on the white building!
Personally I'd custom frame it. The problem with framing anything as multiples is that, artistically, each picture should be complete enough to stand on it's own. That's hard to achieve. Here, I see the white building with it's interesting shadow as being able to stand on it's own, and also the brick center building. But the right side, with two buildings, three vehicles and a prominent light pole, is kind of a mishmash. It's more attractive and visually understandable as a whole.
Personally I'd custom frame it. The problem with framing anything as multiples is that, artistically, each picture should be complete enough to stand on it's own. That's hard to achieve. Here, I see the white building with it's interesting shadow as being able to stand on it's own, and also the brick center building. But the right side, with two buildings, three vehicles and a prominent light pole, is kind of a mishmash. It's more attractive and visually understandable as a whole.
Jan 12, 2022 14:40:17 #
I prefer 'standard' crops, especially important for physical frames. I buy frames in bulk, 4- to 10- at a time, and they're a lot cheaper in standard sizes, rather than each one custom-made.
Jan 12, 2022 15:00:09 #
Jan 12, 2022 17:58:50 #
I almost always crop to fit the attributes of the photo rather than to a standard size. I am finding it harder and harder to find printers willing to do non-standard sizes.
Jan 12, 2022 20:13:45 #
azemon wrote:
These days, I find that I am less interested in cr... (show quote)
I haven't seen an eleven commandment saying an image has to fill a frame/screen. I crop for the image/subject* and if it is close to the frame size I may fudge a little or just leave some space black or white depending on the subject. But always by including more - I shoot so I have extra space on the sides and top of an image just to allow for cropping.
*After all the subject is why I took the photo.
Jan 13, 2022 06:02:10 #
Interesting, to me the two images have a different mood. The first more positive while the second is a little lonely.
Jan 13, 2022 07:03:53 #
robertjerl wrote:
I haven't seen an eleven commandment saying an image has to fill a frame/screen. I crop for the image/subject* and if it is close to the frame size I may fudge a little or just leave some space black or white depending on the subject. But always by including more - I shoot so I have extra space on the sides and top of an image just to allow for cropping.
*After all the subject is why I took the photo.
*After all the subject is why I took the photo.
I like to crop to 4/3 format - regardless. I will then zoom in or out to best compose my subject within that format. This works for me. I'm not keen on pano pics or long verticals. I find 4/3 excellent for landscapes and 3/4 excellent for portraits. As a micro four thirds photographer for fourteen years I have learned to fill the frame accordingly - and usually end up with most of my pixels in the pics.
Had I wanted to include the big shed in the OP's pic if shooting, I would have moved to the left, reduced the space at the bottom, and turned to include more of the street, perhaps capturing more of those wonderful old lamp posts. My favoured format would have been ideal for this.
Jan 13, 2022 09:01:23 #
Jan 13, 2022 09:56:42 #
BobPeterson
Loc: Massachusetts
azemon wrote:
These days, I find that I am less interested in cr... (show quote)
I cut my own mattes and crop to fit the image. I played with this yesterday and ended up with this version. I thought the dark side of the building on the left was distracting.
Jan 13, 2022 10:40:12 #
BobPeterson wrote:
I cut my own mattes and crop to fit the image. I played with this yesterday and ended up with this version. I thought the dark side of the building on the left was distracting.
This underlines how different our tastes can be - I am comfortable with the shade of the nearest building - in fact this provides darker tones to overcome any grey washed out look to the pic. However, I see no merit in including the big shed.
Jan 13, 2022 10:45:19 #
I like the first image better. If it were me, I'd print the preferred crop and then custom cut the mat to fit a standard size frame.
Jan 13, 2022 11:42:04 #
Jan 13, 2022 17:51:03 #
bertloomis
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
azemon wrote:
These days, I find that I am less interested in cr... (show quote)
The best of all worlds: crop them for the photo then in PS add a border so the overall accommodates a standard frame.
Jan 13, 2022 18:49:11 #
I took a bunch of photo classes in college and ended up with a major (but never did the paperwork) in it.
The professors used to tell us that if you wanted a sense of distance you leave a lot in the fore ground. If you want to feature the main subject of a landscape than use very little fore ground. If you want enhance the sense isolation or of being part of a big universe you have a lot of sky and or distant landscape in the background
The professors used to tell us that if you wanted a sense of distance you leave a lot in the fore ground. If you want to feature the main subject of a landscape than use very little fore ground. If you want enhance the sense isolation or of being part of a big universe you have a lot of sky and or distant landscape in the background
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