• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
ScrapGirls
  • SHOP
  • LEARN HOW
  • BLOG
  • FORUM
  • CHAT
  • CONTACT US
Select Page
Home / All Posts / Basic Photo Editing: Cropping

Basic Photo Editing: Cropping

Basic Photo Editing Crop

What is the most important thing to consider when photo editing? A photo, all by itself, has the power to evoke strong feelings; it is after all, a window to the soul.

When I am looking for photos to add to my digital scrapbook layouts, I look at several things. Does the picture or series of pictures tell a story? Or even more basically… are the pictures in focus? Is the main subject obvious?

For me, photo editing by cropping the photo, either as I’m taking a picture or as part of the process of creating my layout, can make all the difference in whether or not the story is told. Obviously there are times when your subject is moving too quickly or the moment is too fleeting for you to engage in photo editing when you crop “in camera” as taking the picture, but whenever possible, this will give you the very best result. It can be done by simply getting physically closer or if you have a zoom lens, just zoom in to get closer.

For instance, in the photo below, which is obviously posed, I was standing on a stool trying to get my son’s whole body and longboard in focus. While I managed to do that, I also captured the corner of my desk and the bottom of my not-yet-trimmed wall. I could use my photo editing software to remove those things in Photoshop and make a decent photo, but the whole purpose of this photo session was to capture the proud moment when he finished the long process of building the longboard. But because of the distractions, this photo doesn’t do that for me.

Photo Tutorial: Try to crop as you shoot.

Photo Tutorial: Crop out distractions.

I could have cropped the photo (see above image) in my photo editing program before creating my layout, but there’s that harsh shadow on the wall. Fixing that shadow was the deal-breaker on this photo.

I fixed the giant shadow by closing the curtains, moved in closer, and took another photo. Below is my finished layout using the new photo, which gives you an example of how cropping your photos can really help you focus on the main subject, create the feeling you want, and ultimately give you a great layout.

Digital scrapbook layout by Janine Buckles

Digital scrapbook layout by Janine Buckles

Article written by Janine Buckles

Welcome to the SG Design Shop Blog - where modern memory keeping meets heritage scrapbooking! Here you'll find digital products and all the inspiration you need to complete your projects.

subscribe-imgTo our Free Newsletter

Search the blog

Favorite Categories


Learn How Sidebar Badge
Tutorials Sidebar Badge
hybrid projects sidebar button
art journaling sidebar button
mobile scrapping sidebar button
planners sidebar button

Connect with us

SG Facebook Image

Partners

Qwiklearn -The easiest way to learn digital scrapbooking!

Adobe Photoshop Affiliate Badge

Links

  • About Us
  • Storefront
  • Terms of Use
  • FAQs

HELP

  • Contact Us
  • Email

FOLLOW US

     

© 2021 Scrap Girls - All Rights Reserved.Privacy PolicySite Map