5 VITAL Photo Cropping Concepts (VIDEO)
The first thing many photographers do after pulling up an image on the computer is to use the cropping tool to refine framing. This tutorial from the Yorkshire Photo Walks YouTube channel reveals five often-ignored cropping concepts that “every photographer should know.”
Instructor Tom Marsh is a a successful British landscape photographer and image-editing expert known for his excursions to inspirational locations and a philosophical approach to capturing and processing his work. In the quick video below you’ll learn why there’s much more to artistic cropping than you may think—whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced shooter.
In barely nine minutes Marsh dives into a handful of essential cropping tips “that can transform your images from ordinary to extraordinary.” The discussion offers valuable insights into framing a subject effectively and balancing compositions. March also provides compelling before/after examples that illustrate how following his advice will elevate your visual-storytelling skills.
At the top of Marsh’s list is what’s known as “aspect ratio.” This important term not only describes whether your final result will be horizonal, vertical, or square, but the exact shape of the image as well. Digital cameras provide several settings for the former, but the second part of the equation is up to you.
While the foregoing is worth considering, Marsh plays devil’s advocate by explaining why in-camera aspect ratios aren’t the be-all-and-end-all of your crop. As he says, “There are no rules and regulations in photography that require photos to adhere to a standard aspect ratio. And this is where Marsh’s creative cropping methods come into play.
Another key tip involves the concept of “subject space,” and why March recommend giving a bit of breathing room to the key subject within the frame. He describes the compositional compromise this this: “On the one hand we want the subject to stand out and be impactful, but on the other we don’t want our frame to be all crowded and claustrophobic.” This means leaving enough space so that other interesting elements can play a supporting role.
At this point we’re barely halfway through the lesson, so keep watching until the end. Then visit the Yorkshire Photo Walks YouTube channel for more how-to videos that will help expand your skills.
And don’t miss the comprehensive beginners guide we shared recently in which a German pro demystifies your camera’s autofocus modes so that you understand which setting to use when for sharp photographs every time.
