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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Shooting to make cropping un-necessary
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 02/03/2007 04:57:27 AM · #1
I've noticed a large number of photos where the accompanying note indicates it was cropped prior to uploading.

I got thinking about this after my two most recent uploads to another site I post on (links below).

//www.treklens.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/photo240001.htm
//www.treklens.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/photo239550.htm

These are tight crops of much larger images.

I like these two images, except that the extent to which I've cropped them would prevent printing much larger than A4.

I have an 8mp camera. It seems a shame to have to throw two thirds of the pixels away. But the full-size versions of these images were no good.

So, I'm going to challenge myself to try shooting so I won't have to crop afterwards.This will require a new "vision" where the only cropping tools allowed are zoom lenses and feet!

I have lenses to cover the full range from 17 to 300 mm - so my new rule is that crops can only be done from images taken at the full reach of the 300mm zoom.

Anyone else game to try this? Or am I just barking mad?
 02/03/2007 05:05:28 AM · #2
I always try to shoot basically like this, aiming for minimal crop. I usually allow for a bit extra, since I seem to always manange a bit of a tilt that needs adjusting. But yeah, trim the crusts, but don't throw away the whole slice of toast except one bite in the middle! :)
 02/03/2007 05:43:50 AM · #3
this is interesting as I am challenging myself to the same thing at the moment with my 17-40f4l lens.
shooting with this lens with the full frame sensor is very challenging and damn close for that matter.
All 5 of my images just uploaded from yesterday with my 17-40 have not been cropped (besides straightening) and also my entry for the "bad" challenge. I found it very confronting to shoot like this but even more satisfying.
 02/03/2007 06:08:22 AM · #4
When possible, I always try to shoot with "no-crop" in mind. I am forced to do this as my camera only has a crappy 3.2mp. :-( It does however have 10x zoom and IS so that kinda compensates.
I only crop (or try to only crop) for tilting, and for ratio adjustment: I find the 1:1.5 ratio much nicer than 1:1.33... I also like square crops. So I would say that, generally speaking, I shoot for the minimum possible crop. :-)
 02/03/2007 07:43:09 AM · #5
It is always better to try to get it right in camera but sometimes you can't if you want to make prints you can up size with a program like genuine fractals.
 02/03/2007 07:49:01 AM · #6
Originally posted by BeeCee:
I usually allow for a bit extra, since I seem to always manange a bit of a tilt that needs adjusting.


I'm the same way and try to leave some wiggle room.
 02/03/2007 09:16:30 AM · #7
Most camera's don't produce an image that fits standard print sizes so some cropping is usually necessary.

For example: My camera produces 1.5:1 aspect ratio images which is good for 4x6. The larger images with the same aspect ratio are non-standard, 8x12, 10x15 etc.

Also, the viewfinders on most cameras do not cover the entire frame.

Having said this, I don't shoot something with the intention of cropping later. If I crop at all it's because I couldn't get quite close enough and only need to knock off a little on two edges.
 02/03/2007 09:23:12 AM · #8
A raw amateur such as myself might take away from this thread that cropping is bad, so here is an interesting article about the good side of cropping: From The Luminous Landscape

My reaction is that you should get as much as you can by composing in-camera, but then consider cropping options to get more from your exposure than the aspect ratio of your sensor allows.
 02/03/2007 09:33:48 AM · #9
Originally posted by eqsite:
A raw amateur such as myself might take away from this thread that cropping is bad, so here is an interesting article about the good side of cropping: From The Luminous Landscape

My reaction is that you should get as much as you can by composing in-camera, but then consider cropping options to get more from your exposure than the aspect ratio of your sensor allows.


True, but you can do that and still restrice yourself to cropping only in one dimension. With a little practice, you can learn to "see" the aspect ratios in-camera and frame accordingly. For example, I've found that with my 10D, the crop-out area for an 8x10 is about the distance from the edge of the frame to the rightmost (or leftmost) square in the auto-focus grid.

~Terry
 02/03/2007 09:45:34 AM · #10
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
True, but you can do that and still restrice yourself to cropping only in one dimension. With a little practice, you can learn to "see" the aspect ratios in-camera and frame accordingly. For example, I've found that with my 10D, the crop-out area for an 8x10 is about the distance from the edge of the frame to the rightmost (or leftmost) square in the auto-focus grid.

~Terry


Yep, that's pretty much what I was getting at. You certainly want to avoid losing resolution by cropping whenever possible. I think it mostly comes down to familiarity with your equipment and the discipline to really study the scene in-camera. I am always amazed when I sit down to post-process at what I didn't see as framing possibilities. Sometimes it's because I'm in a hurry to get the shot, but more often it's just because I didn't fully study the scene. So I think its a good exercise to make yourself get it right in camera. I just don't want someone to come away with the idea that cropping itself is wrong.
 02/03/2007 11:14:30 AM · #11
this is pretty much my process as well - though i generally like the full frame 1:1.5 aspect ratio. not too big a deal if you can cut your own mattes. hard to find them pre-made in that size - i think anyway.

i mentined a couple days ago how i wonder how many challenge entries are 'cropped to the max' so to speak. i consider that sloppy photography. the camera is your tool - you should master how to use it to the fullest extent.

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
True, but you can do that and still restrice yourself to cropping only in one dimension. With a little practice, you can learn to "see" the aspect ratios in-camera and frame accordingly. For example, I've found that with my 10D, the crop-out area for an 8x10 is about the distance from the edge of the frame to the rightmost (or leftmost) square in the auto-focus grid.

~Terry

 02/03/2007 02:02:52 PM · #12
Originally posted by soup:
i mentined a couple days ago how i wonder how many challenge entries are 'cropped to the max' so to speak. i consider that sloppy photography. the camera is your tool - you should master how to use it to the fullest extent.


This is what I was talking about when I started the thread. In the two examples I posted, the "creative vision" when taking them was no good: when I got them into my computer I was disappointed and was ready to delete them. Then I hit on the idea of cropping for composition, and finished with two photos I was happy with.

I should have seen that when I was taking them!

I've no problem with minor cropping for Aspect Ratio or levelling, however.
 02/03/2007 02:28:37 PM · #13
If you're shooting for a client who's going to want different print sizes in different ratios... I learned the hard way that you should leave some extra room around the image. I try not to crop when possible, but it's hard to get a perfectly framed 2:3 ratio shot into a different ratio without losing something.
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