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  • Part of making a great finished photograph normally involves cropping the image to enhance the composition. Image cropping gives the photographer a method to eliminate, enhance and further refine an image. The technical aspect of cropping a photograph depends on the software used. The subjectivity involved in cropping an image creates the challenge.

    Software programs

    Most software-based programs use the same methodology to crop photos. Determine the area of the image to keep. Select the crop tool from the software's toolbar menu (normally under the "edit" or "image" section). Alternatively, select the tool from a preset row of tool icons. The universal crop icon resembles two "L's" joined to make a square. Place the crop tool at the upper left part that will remain in the image, click and hold the left mouse button. Drag the crop tool to the farthest point down, then to the farthest point right to include the area that will remain in the image. Release the mouse button. A border forms around the image containing only the portion to remain in the image after the crop. Make any minor adjustments by placing the mouse over any of the four crop lines. Left-click the mouse, grab the crop line and move in or out to adjust. Release the mouse button. After completing any adjustments, double-click the center of the image to complete the crop function.

    Darkroom

    Cropping images in a darkroom requires an easel. Turn off the darkroom lights and turn on the safelight. Place the negative or slide in the enlarger's negative carrier. Place a sheet of photographic paper on the easel under the enlarger's lens. Turn on the enlarger. Raise or lower the enlarger's head on the column until the paper receives the desired amount of image coverage. Focus the image on the paper using the lens focusing mechanism. Move the top and side sliding arms of the easel to crop the image to the desired dimensions. Make minor adjustments by raising or lowering the enlarger head on the column. Refocus and adjust the easel slide arms.

    Existing image

    Crop an existing printed image using a straight edge and a craft knife. Place the image on a board that will not bend. Start on the left and use a ruler to mark the exact number of inches from the image's edge to the left most part of the image that will remain. Make equal marks at the top and bottom of the image with a pencil. Line up the straight edge along the marks and score the image. Repeat the process on the right, top and bottom of the image.

    Source:

    Digital-Photography-School.com: How to crop images

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