When we click pictures, we get so engrossed in it that we tend to forget about composing the shots taken. Cropping is one of the most used feature of Photoshop that takes care of everything. Right from giving focus to highlighting the subject, everything is possible with the crop tool.
Having said so, as a retoucher, you should keep certain important things in mind. Not all images would make sense if cropped. Also, cropping images only for bringing out a particular element is called good cropping. Let us look at when to crop an image.
When is it important to crop an image?
- To leave out unnecessary elements – If there are a number of things in the background that make no sense to the main picture, go ahead and crop it. Ensure you do not cut anything that might alter the main story. Only the important elements should be there in the picture.
- To focus on the main object – In case of garment or apparel photography, you may knock off the background elements for example a flower vase or a wall hanging. Cropping helps you to focus on the main subject so that customers are attracted towards the product.
- To bring the picture nearer – When you shoot something at a distance, you might not always be satisfied with the picture. In order to make the object clearer and nearer, you may think of cropping the same.
- To weave a storyline – It is not always right to keep the object in the middle. At times, you may feel that the background is as much important as the object. For example, while photographing a stork, it is important to show a little bit of the sea. You should crop keeping in mind the entire picture.
- To leave some breathing room – Photographers are aware of the term ‘head room’, this means, while cropping you should ensure to leave some breathing room so that the image does not hit hard on your eyes.
We have understood that cropping an image plays a crucial role in conveying the right message. However, some retouchers believe that cropping, results in reducing the image quality. This may not be true as the pixel values are not changed even after cropping an image.
Cropping does not affect the size of the image. This means, the size is neither expanded nor reduced. There is a fine-line between cropping and resizing. If you are resizing the image, there would surely be distortion in the image quality. It can either become stretched or squashed depending on the sizes chosen.
A cropped image is 100% reliable, as the re-toucher crops with a purpose. The best way is to use pixel count and keep a tab on the number of pixels being used. Although the overall pixel count will be reduced, but you will get the same number of pixels that is required for a good quality image.
For example, if you have an original picture of 1920 X 1080 pixels, but you require only a part of the image, you can go ahead and crop the image to a 720 X 480 pixel. Doing so would retain all the good attributes of the picture.
Overall, cropping only to a certain extent keeping in mind the overall look of the image would not harm the image quality. It is therefore advised to shoot professionally and crop only if it is required. Natural photographs look best the way they have been clicked. Picsretouch.com offers best service of product image cropping and retouching.
Indulging in cropping to a greater extent may take away the meaning of the image too. As a photographer it is your duty to click the best pictures possible and as a retoucher, you should ensure that you bring out the best in the photograph being clicked.
