I seem to have cropping on the brain.
Last week I presented the question “Do We Really Need Both Eyes?” which began my challenge to look for the “parts” of the photo that tell the story.
This week as I’ve done my editing I’ve noticed that often cropping a photo from
vertical to horizontal, or vice versa, can have a huge impact on the mood of the photo.
Of course when dealing with photography it’s way easier to show than explain…so here ya go!
The particular examples I’ve included today were really fabulous photos in their original form and probably didn’t need to be messed with…but…I have a compulsion and just can’t help myself!
This little sweetheart is just too cute…
…but I like this composition better, it’s unexpected and the focus is completely on him, as it should be!
Here’s another adorable little guy, I was so thrilled to get this shot.
But I tend to go for the dramatic angle and when I cropped it horizontally it really highlighted his sparkling eyes.
Now here’s a shot that every mother dreams of…momma and her sweet baby girl.
By changing the view from vertical to horizontal I think the “feel” of the moment is better portrayed.
This young lady has the cutest little grin and those eyes are just stunning…
…which is why I love the horizontal crop…there’s nothing to distract your eye from that beautiful face.
My last example is a shot that’s just pure perfection..the girl is beyond gorgeous and I really liked the composition…
…but where’s the fun in perfection?? I cropped it horizontal, added a touch of drama and ended with a shot that
really gets your attention.
So while there’s certainly no right or wrong to any which way you crop, I want to keep the challenge alive to search
for new angles, new views and new attitudes when shooting and editing.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on these examples and share with us how you continue to challenge yourself in photography
and editing.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved reading this!!! This has sorta been my personal focus for the past year when shooting people – but mainly I’ve been focusing on using postive and negative space to capture/create the mood. Now I can take it to the next level with cropping! Thanks for sharing!
)
gretchen
I love the way wayoutnumbered goes beyond technical to practical. It’s so simple that even a novice like myself feels like I have a chance to get a great pic. Thanks for bringing it down to my level.
I loved this! I would love to try and make some crops like these.
I never get tired of reading your posts. You stuff is so great!!! Keep writing!!
WOW!! These are STUNNING! I’m going to play with a few photos and crop them horizontally. Your composition is always wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
I love this post. My absolute favorite thing to do is completely fill the frame with my boys’ face. Then I start feeling bad about posterity. I mean, my favorite part about looking at old pictures is checking out all the dated stuff in the background. I worry that my kids will think (maybe rightly so) that the whole world was them.
It’s good to know others share my passion!
Stell´s last blog ..Semantics
Thank you for challenging me to look beyond my original composition! One question though – most of these kids look like they have blue eyes in the original picture but green eyes in the cropped ones? Did you do a lot of editing on the eyes?
I do enhance the eyes sometimes if it adds to the photo. Often times eyes won’t photograph as one solid color so I’ll highlight the color that looks to be sparkling the best. If it’s edited for a family though and not just my own portfolio I make sure to do an edit in the natural color:)
wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Check Out This on Texas Chicks
Thank you for this post! I’m constantly playing with cropping, but I’m usually afraid to take it all the way. These examples have boosted my confidence, and I’m going to try it out.
This is a fabulous article – also enjoyed your “do we need…” on your site. Refreshing and unique perspective. I will now also feel the need to mess with a perfectly good picture – thanks for expanding my obsession.
Traci´s last blog ..Jack, Memories and 5 Tips
love these pics. I LOVE to crop . sometimes it gets me in trouble when trying to make enlargements in different sizes. I lose inches i wished i had for my enlargemetn.
However I LOVE what u did.
Your subjects are beautiful too.
Gail
Love the crops. I try to do this also. I think it’s creative to take it to another level. I need to get as good at my photoshop as you are! Also, I’d love to have a tutorial on how you did the eyes. Maybe you did, I may have missed it somewhere. I need to learn this!
Thanks again!
Tammy Heavner´s last blog ..Welcome to the World Lil’ Ms. Jayden!