Image cropping, Yes or No?

[pstake]

Yes.


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[Roger Cole]

I never tell anyone whether I crop or not.

If you don't know, do you wonder whether it's been cropped or not?

Nope.

 

[BrianShaw]

... and really cant tell if it was cropped or no either.

 

[erikg]

I guess I see it a little differently, when the rule is self imposed it creates challenge. Challenge spurs problem solving and creativity. Like my previous comment about the Haiku form, I find finding solutions within a structural constraint can be rewarding. There are a whole set of choices being made, not only framing but monochrome, film type, lens all create limits and all contain possible options.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I guess I see it a little differently, when the rule is self imposed it creates challenge. Challenge spurs problem solving and creativity. Like my previous comment about the Haiku form, I find finding solutions within a structural constraint can be rewarding. There are a whole set of choices being made, not only framing but monochrome, film type, lens all create limits and all contain possible options.

Not saying you're wrong. I'm in the camp of 'who cares about cropping'. It just doesn't bear any significance at all in how I appreciate a photograph. Therefore I'm curious to know: Are you interested in having a good time with photography, or are you interested in making the best photographs you can make? (Or both, perhaps?)
My thought has always been: If you make photography about an idea other than the photographs you make, you might find yourself improving your personal relationship to photography more than the photographs themselves. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I find that photography is a very mental type of exercise, where different photographers work in different ways. I work a lot with emotion and mood in my photographs, and seldom have much time to compose full frame in the viewfinder. Something appears that inspires me, I try to photograph it, and move on.
In addition I have a problem with my vision where it's impossible for me to see when lines are straight across the composition, and the rotation of the negative in the enlarger inevitably means cropping. I cannot learn to shoot full frame, unless I'm on a tripod and I can use a level to straighten the camera, so my opinion might come from my inability.

 

[Roger Cole]

Not saying you should shoot full frame Thomas (we're on the same page on that, I think) but would a gridded focusing screen help?

I suspect something in my LX's prism-to-body because I seem to get tilted horizontals out of it far more often than my other cameras...or is it how I hold it? Or my imagination? I'm just not sure, but I've been tempted to send it for a CLA and check of that just for peace of mind.

 

[cliveh]

I agree with the point about not letting the format dictate the composition, as some have mentioned composing within the format shape and then cropping. However, one of the main reasons I have used 35mm more than any other format, is that I like that 3:2 aspect ratio for composing. Others may prefer 5 X 4 or square, or whatever, but my point is that the format ratio for some is one of the prime reasons for sticking with that particular type of camera and printing full frame.

 

[erikg]

Not saying you're wrong. I'm in the camp of 'who cares about cropping'. It just doesn't bear any significance at all in how I appreciate a photograph. Therefore I'm curious to know: Are you interested in having a good time with photography, or are you interested in making the best photographs you can make? (Or both, perhaps?)
My thought has always been: If you make photography about an idea other than the photographs you make, you might find yourself improving your personal relationship to photography more than the photographs themselves. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I find that photography is a very mental type of exercise, where different photographers work in different ways. I work a lot with emotion and mood in my photographs, and seldom have much time to compose full frame in the viewfinder. Something appears that inspires me, I try to photograph it, and move on.
In addition I have a problem with my vision where it's impossible for me to see when lines are straight across the composition, and the rotation of the negative in the enlarger inevitably means cropping. I cannot learn to shoot full frame, unless I'm on a tripod and I can use a level to straighten the camera, so my opinion might come from my inability.

In answer to your question: Both. and more besides. I don't necessary care about cropping, I shoot for a living and we crop and do whatever else it takes to make everyone as happy as possible. In my own work I also don't get hung up (or I try not to) with trying to make things "perfect" whatever that is. I try to stay in the moment, work as directly as possible and allow for chance to offer things up to me and to be ready when it does.
It's easy to get too "tight" and not the framing or drunk tight.
I get what you're saying about having a relationship with photography. Good questions to ask oneself.

 

[markbarendt]

I never tell anyone whether I crop or not.

If you don't know, do you wonder whether it's been cropped or not?

No

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Not saying you should shoot full frame Thomas (we're on the same page on that, I think) but would a gridded focusing screen help?

I suspect something in my LX's prism-to-body because I seem to get tilted horizontals out of it far more often than my other cameras...or is it how I hold it? Or my imagination? I'm just not sure, but I've been tempted to send it for a CLA and check of that just for peace of mind.

Put a bi-level spirit level in the hot shoe. If everything is level and the camera still shows things out of whack, then you should consider a service.
Grid focusing screens are excellent, but generally only for 100% viewfinder coverage.

 

[Roger Cole]

Put a bi-level spirit level in the hot shoe. If everything is level and the camera still shows things out of whack, then you should consider a service.
Grid focusing screens are excellent, but generally only for 100% viewfinder coverage.

You're right of course. It's easy enough to check.

I do find the grid in my Yashicamat 124 to be useful. It's really easy to get a TLR with a WLF into a tilted hold if you aren't mindful of it.

 

[erikg]

You're right of course. It's easy enough to check.

I do find the grid in my Yashicamat 124 to be useful. It's really easy to get a TLR with a WLF into a tilted hold if you aren't mindful of it.

And that would be a bad thing?

 

[removed account4]

I never tell anyone whether I crop or not.

If you don't know, do you wonder whether it's been cropped or not?

i always wonder ...

 

[Roger Cole]

And that would be a bad thing?

Huh? I don't understand what you're asking.

Accidentally tilting the camera when you don't mean to might or might not be a bad thing depending on the photo but sometimes it can be. The grid is certainly not a bad thing because it's useful for avoiding that when it matters to me and easily ignored when it doesn't.

 

[erikg]

Tilting the camera. Not tilting the camera, keeping horizons straight, just some other "rules" that can be helpful or a hindrance and can get some people worked up.
A grid can be handy, no doubt. Use one sometimes my self.

 

[Roger Cole]

Yeah, I'm ok with tilting it when I mean to tilt it. I'm ok with it ending up tilted when it doesn't matter. I just don't want to accidentally tilt it when I didn't mean to and don't want it tilted!

 

[jaydebruyne]

Most of my experience is in digital, however composition is composition whether it's digital or analogue. I always use primes, I work for my shot and I always, even with lighting, try and get things right in camera. I find it makes life easier in post. However, like many people have said, if cropping makes the final image stronger, I say crop, crop, crop away! I do think there is something to learn though, from cropping. I think by cropping, it can help you hone your 'seeing' skills when composing your shot.

 

[sandholm]

I try to maximize the negative, but sometimes I just dont have the right lens.

Also, why does it matter. Either you crop when you press the trigger or you crop after, it still will just be a slice of the scene that you saw with your eyes.

 

[cjbecker]

I will 99% of the time shoot for the final crop. I will not crop in the darkroom. There are only two instances that I will crop. I will crop when i'm shooting wildlife and don't have a long enough lens. Or I dont feel like being wastefull and cutting a sheet of paper to a square. (I shoot 6x6 for everything now)

I have never cropped a 4x5 neg and I also grind my holders to show the edges of the frame on all my holders.

I have nothing against people the crop but photography is a hobby for me and I like to work within restrictions. Restrictions like cropping in camera. Using only one lens. Adapting one camera for everything. Using wire frame sports finders. Using one film.

I like the adventure of it.

 

[Alan Klein]

Although I crop, (and use multiple lenses etc) I understand your point cjbecker. Restrictions will focus your attention on the subject matter and how best to capture it, one of the reasons I shoot film with a manual camera. It is an adventure.