Composition/cropping. For you or us?

[Mark L]

This quote by CAP got me thinking ;
“Thanks for the comments Mark, funny you say that about the portrait crops, I actually have edits cropped this way and personally prefer them.
Haven't posted because they are a lot tighter than most here appreciate.”

It was in response to a cropping suggestion I made.

Do you crop and present your photos in the way you like, or are you influenced by how you think others would like to see them?

[Granville]

I crop and present them in a way that I like them. Then, if someone comes up with a suggestion I think is worth a try, I'll try it. That's why I post in a Constructive Critique forum.
:)
But it will still finally end up how I like it. Not how others like it.

[Ionica]

Generally - the way I like.

[ricktas]

Definitely the way I like them. Often, being a landscaper, I crop to remove stuff on the edges that I did not want in the scene, but using my widey, sometimes you just have to have it in the frame to get the shot, knowing that it will be cropped.

[ameerat42]

Basically, the way I think they look "best" at the time. Then I consider any other opinions given.
Am.

[JoPho]

Crop trying to keep compositional "rules" in mind and to emphasise the important features.
Sometimes it goes out of whack when there's distractional junk in the image.

I quite like cutting off the top of people's heads, but have kept them on, against my better judgement, to please others here.

[JJM]

Always do what I think but I am always open to suggestion.

[bowjac]

I always crop for composition.
I also posted heavily cropped photos, and was critiqued saying that the context was cut out. That person was right, and realised I was in a rut of tight cropping. I probably present a wider variety of images now, as a result.

[Glenda]

Initially to suit my taste but as I still consider myself in the LOTS to learn phase I am very influenced by others' opinions and am more than willing to try their suggestions.

[Stingray]

yepp.. pretty much crop for composition, but then that's also how I like them :)
I'll play with the "crop" for a bit until I think the composition is good and goes well with the subject matter :)

[Kym]

Do you crop and present your photos in the way you like, or are you influenced by how you think others would like to see them?

I crop to make the subject stand out; which generally means the best impact.
It is a balancing act between subject, the so called negative space, and context.

[jev]

I crop to make the subject stand out; which generally means the best impact.
Perfect answer Kym, that's what I do too.

For example: cropping part of a face can significantly change the impact of the image, it usually stresses connection with the subject. And that goes for almost anything.

[ROA44]

Another good thread has set me thinking on I, How & why I will crop an image in the future it is these type of threads that stretch my thinking. There was one a while ago " Trophy Fish " which was quite different in the way it had been processed and I revisiting it to get a better feel for the photo. Also Tannins thread on the 24-70 lens which brought out some great info. and points of view. Now all I have to do is try to get out and try things a bit more.

[fillum]

I quite like cutting off the top of people's heads:eek: I'm glad I'm on the other side of the country Jo. I'd suggest you stick to photography, otherwise you could get yourself into some serious trouble...:D

[fillum]

It's a good question Mark, and I think a similar question also applies to most aspects of our images - composition, lighting, processing (especially) and even subject matter. I generally do what I think works best for the image, and I'm not averse to cropping through heads or body parts if it helps focus attention on what I'm trying to show. I do tend to stick with "standard" frame ratios (4x6, 5x7, etc) but I don't really have a particular reason for doing so as I rarely print anything :confused013.

Of course there are exceptions, particularly with subjects like family stuff, where the ideal framing (from an image perspective) might be compromised to keep a family member in the image, etc...




Cheers.

[lenscap]

I crop to create the finished image as I wanted it but am always interested to see an other opinion. I may take on board their suggestion if I feel it enhances my photo.