Do you crop your DSLR images?

In article , says...

Sometime amount the era I began to use 35mm cameras, I developed a
framing habit so as not to lose any precious resolution when the images
were enlarged. I unconsciously do it now and almost never crop an image
unless it's to accommodate "perfect portrait" size - the 2/3rds thing.

I double booked this weekend and had to engage a contract Photographer
for the 'other' shoot. I've just been going through his work ready to
start printing and discovered a lot of his shots need cropping. Nothing
wrong with his photography, just the fact he leaves lots of room in the
image.

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.


--
Douglas...

It depends on what the client wants. I've always shot tight, whether it is 4x
5, or dSlr. However, several clients really like a bit of space, in case the
layout changes. When I shoot for these, or suspect that a new client might be
of this mindset, I leave some space - it saves having to do much Cloning in
Photoshop. With 4x5, I'd usually shoot to the Polaroid, knowing that there was
about 1/8" in. all the way round.

As for your assistant, they may not have felt comfortable doing a tight, in-
camera crop. Depending on how much cropping you need to do, resolution should
not suffer. I think that it is just a different mindset by the photographer,
and, if I were shooting for a new client (in this case you), I would probably
frame a bit more loosely, unless you directed me to do my "normal" thing.

Provided that the work is good, there should be few problems.

Hunt

Pixby wrote:

Sometime amount the era I began to use 35mm cameras, I developed a
framing habit so as not to lose any precious resolution when the images
were enlarged. I unconsciously do it now and almost never crop an image
unless it's to accommodate "perfect portrait" size - the 2/3rds thing.

I double booked this weekend and had to engage a contract Photographer
for the 'other' shoot. I've just been going through his work ready to
start printing and discovered a lot of his shots need cropping. Nothing
wrong with his photography, just the fact he leaves lots of room in the
image.

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.


When shooting digital (Four Thirds) or large format (4x5in) I fill the
frame with the subject and don't usually do any cropping. With 35mm I
usually crop from one or both ends to bring the shot to a 1:1.25
ratio, for example to print on 8x10inch paper.

With 12 on 120 (6x6cm) I have to crop *every* shot to get to 1:1.25.
As far as I can recall I have never used a 6x6cm image uncropped.

It sounds like your man is used to shooting medium format.

"Pixby" wrote in message
...
Sometime amount the era I began to use 35mm cameras, I developed a framing
habit so as not to lose any precious resolution when the images were
enlarged. I unconsciously do it now and almost never crop an image unless
it's to accommodate "perfect portrait" size - the 2/3rds thing.

I double booked this weekend and had to engage a contract Photographer for
the 'other' shoot. I've just been going through his work ready to start
printing and discovered a lot of his shots need cropping. Nothing wrong
with his photography, just the fact he leaves lots of room in the image.

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.


I try to do all my cropping when I shoot, but sometimes it's just impossible
to do. As you have discovered, the less you have to crop the better,
whether using film or digital. Just depends on the camera how much you can
get away with when you do crop -- a combination of sharpness and pixels,
which is why some cameras will give you a better image even if the pixel
count is lower.

Your contracted labor may like to give their shots a bit more breathing room
to work with. Also make it a bit easier when you need to come up with an
8x10, which will always cut off the top or bottom of the image if it's too
tight.

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:06:09 +1000, Pixby wrote:

Sometime amount the era I began to use 35mm cameras, I developed a framing
habit so as not to lose any precious resolution when the images were
enlarged. I unconsciously do it now and almost never crop an image unless
it's to accommodate "perfect portrait" size - the 2/3rds thing.

[snip]

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.

Of course, I crop, either eliminating part of the image or framing the
shot loosely, if it improves it or I have to allow for copy and/or
inserts.

And you're not one of those fanatics who considers cropping 35mm (or any
format for that matter) some kind of sacrilegious act, to burn in
Hell, if you do? Filed out that old 35mm carrier to get to the entire
image, didn't you? I had so much fun playing with you guys' heads when I
was a young student photographer years ago. Thanks for all the fun. ;-)

Stefan

stefan patric wrote:
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:06:09 +1000, Pixby wrote:

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.

Of course, I crop, either eliminating part of the image or framing the
shot loosely, if it improves it or I have to allow for copy and/or
inserts.

Of course.

And you're not one of those fanatics who considers cropping 35mm (or any
format for that matter) some kind of sacrilegious act, to burn in
Hell, if you do?

I've been to exhibitions where the photographer carefully printed the
surround to show the famous "Hassleblad notch" and prove that they
cropped nothing. Sigh. How stupid.

Andrew.

IAFFAP (I am far from a pro), but I never print a photo without cropping.
What's the chance I framed it just right while shooting (often in a hurry).
I'll tell you - it's very unlikely!

Also frames and mattes are more widely available and cheaper in standard
sizes. So if I like a pic I always crop to 8x10 or 11x14, to frame with
matte. Otherwise I might go broke. I save the money to by ink, paper,
frames, and new lenses.

To me, not to crop, would be like not using levels (for enhancing
"lighting"), color saturation, sharpness, etc. before printing. What's the
chance that the shot was taken just right in regards to those qualities.
I'll tell you. It's not likely!

In article ,
Andrew Haley wrote:
stefan patric wrote:
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:06:09 +1000, Pixby wrote:

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.

Of course, I crop, either eliminating part of the image or framing the
shot loosely, if it improves it or I have to allow for copy and/or
inserts.

Of course.

I try to fill the frame with the intended subject matter, but
this is not always possible. If not, of course I will crop. Also, I
will crop to change the format to make a better match for the desired
use. (Sometimes, something square or otherwise reshaped will do better
for the subject or the application.)

And you're not one of those fanatics who considers cropping 35mm (or any
format for that matter) some kind of sacrilegious act, to burn in
Hell, if you do?

I've been to exhibitions where the photographer carefully printed the
surround to show the famous "Hassleblad notch" and prove that they
cropped nothing. Sigh. How stupid.

That is rather extreme. I like to maximize the amount of usable
image if I can. Zoom lenses allow this in more situations, but not in
all. Of course cropping is sometimes necessary, even if the zoom range
is reasonable, or the distance to the subject can be appropriately
adjusted, as some images cry out to be square or some other non-standard
format.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

One of the self-imposed exercises is to frame as tightly as possible when
taking a picture. After doing this for awhile, I realized that I am able to
sport opportunities much better. I routinely throw away less than ideal
frames rather than try to save them with large amount of cropping. Of
course, I use cropping to adjust to desired print sizes.


"DoN. Nichols" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Andrew Haley wrote:
stefan patric wrote:
On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:06:09 +1000, Pixby wrote:

How many other people make cropping a normal event when editing? Just
curious.

Of course, I crop, either eliminating part of the image or framing the
shot loosely, if it improves it or I have to allow for copy and/or
inserts.

Of course.

I try to fill the frame with the intended subject matter, but
this is not always possible. If not, of course I will crop. Also, I
will crop to change the format to make a better match for the desired
use. (Sometimes, something square or otherwise reshaped will do better
for the subject or the application.)

And you're not one of those fanatics who considers cropping 35mm (or any
format for that matter) some kind of sacrilegious act, to burn in
Hell, if you do?

I've been to exhibitions where the photographer carefully printed the
surround to show the famous "Hassleblad notch" and prove that they
cropped nothing. Sigh. How stupid.

That is rather extreme. I like to maximize the amount of usable
image if I can. Zoom lenses allow this in more situations, but not in
all. Of course cropping is sometimes necessary, even if the zoom range
is reasonable, or the distance to the subject can be appropriately
adjusted, as some images cry out to be square or some other non-standard
format.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---