What is the difference between framing and cropping

For example, you might go in for a close-up portrait and not realize that trees along the sides of the shot could have framed the subject nicely, or that the people in the background add an element of interpersonal interest.

Framing the shot is the first crop. Framing a shot as you take it is really a type of cropping. Creating an abstract. For example, you crop so tightly into a fork on a plate that you extract it from the context.

It takes on a life and meaning of its own, perhaps independent of ideas about food and eating. Improving composition. Other types of crops, although less dramatic, can nevertheless improve an image significantly. You might crop to enhance the balance, proportions, and geometry of elements in the shot. Or you might crop to place a subject in a rule of thirds position. In traditional portraits, rather then letting a subject float uncomfortably in the middle of the image, use a crop to attach the person to the frame.

Changing the meaning of the image. In some cases cropping can radically transform the meaning of a shot. One person in a couple can be eliminated to make it appear that the subject is alone.

Removing a smoke stack can make a forest seem perfectly pristine and untouched by human hands. Cropping out shorts can create the illusion that a bare-chested man is naked. In these cases, cropping entails a process of reducing, purifying, or simplifying.

For artistic purposes, such alterations of the image may be perfectly acceptable. In the case of photojournalism or other images that should be presenting a factual reality, the crop could be an objectionable act of deception.

Frame Dimensions. In many SLR cameras the ratio is 2x3. Some crops work well for some types of photos, but not others. For example, a portrait might work well in 8x10 landscape orientation but an actual landscape shot will look a bit chopped off on the sides.

You can crop to any width-to-height proportion that you like. The psychological impact of frame dimensions. Here it helps to understand how that proportion affects the perception of the image. Just a couple of questions for you or any other readers that can chip in.

I have a Fuji X, which is a 12mp camera and sometimes I want to shoot a tighter composition for a portrait. Is that calculation correct? Will eventually get around to buying and watching the Photoshop workshop too. Thanks for confirming points 2 and 3! Definitely can see how the exposure choice is tied in with creative choice and hence what you want to or can achieve in post. Would you mind clarifying point 1 please?

I assume that would skew the perspective a little? I noticed you bent your knees to take a shot on episode 2 I think and explained it was to make sure verticals stayed vertical. If my memory serves me correct! What did he do with the first composition? This seems to be an attempt at recovering something he knew was compromised to begin with…. I thought for the first time I am first to comment. Then the page refreshed and I am 2nd.. Very nice article but I am guilty of cropping afterwards.

My theory is that the different aspect ratio of different output media require different compositional elements. The problem is if you compose for one aspect ratio and try to force it to fit after, it never will — balance will always be off if you used the original aspect ratio correctly to begin with. The question remains: is cropping in post a worse form of cropping?

But where do we end things — and in what situations is a little trimming necessary? How can we achieve a clean frame and a clean […]. I believe the difference is […]. Behind the scenes videos. Email Address:. Sign up to receive new posts by email. Ming Thein Photographer reframing the world one picture at a time. The difference between trimming and cropping May 11, by Ming Thein. Bottom line: losing a few pixels here and there is somewhat inevitable.

All rights reserved Knowledge is for sharing:. Like this: Like Loading Photoessay: Layers of dusk to dawn ». Comments Alexis Mackintosh says:. May 16, at AM. Ming, Thank you for a rather thought provoking article. Cheers, alexis. Ming Thein says:. May 15, at AM. Albert Silver says:. May 14, at PM. Joe says:. May 13, at AM. Larry Kincaid says:. May 12, at PM. Jeremy says:. May 12, at AM. Dirk De Paepe says:. Lucy March says:. A valid point, Lucy. May 11, at PM. Thanks so much for posting this, really enjoy reading the article and the comments.

Kenny Younger says:. Kristian Wannebo says:. Which can be frustrating and sometimes is very rewarding and anyway makes good learning! Todd says:. Per Kylberg says:.

MarcoSartori says:. I agree on everything you wrote Ming. Ciao, Marco. Frank says:. Charlie McDonald says:. Steve King says:. Jayant Mahto says:.

August 27, at PM. Cropping, sufficiency, resolution: take three or, thoughts after shooting with the H6Dc — Ming Thein Photographer says:. January 21, at PM. Cut points and edges — Ming Thein Photographer says:. August 15, at PM. Formats and creative intent — Ming Thein Photographer says:. July 12, at PM. Instagram mingthein. If you enjoyed the content, please consider -ing or subscribing - thanks for your support!

Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule for instance, you may want to shoot a subject within a larger environment to tell a bigger story. You may remember from our post about choosing a lens that a telephoto lens can be helpful for getting closer in on a subject so you can fill the frame more fully when you are farther away.

Cropping at any of the points indicated on the illustration below can make for an awkward looking image — a good rule of thumb is not to crop at any joints. Headroom is also an important concept to understand. Too much headroom or too little can make for bad composition. This can result in pixelation and poor quality prints.