how to compose with the intent to crop

[wckeep]

not sure if anyone understood my title, but how do you compose your shots when you know that you will be cropping it down to say 5x7 or 8.5x10?

[RoyL]

Fill the frame for what you want not what size you are going to print. Any photo should be taken this way.

[jiminyClickit]

wckeep,

There are some shots I purposely place my subject in a good thirds area, knowing I can crop the opposite corner and still have a good composition. The aspect ratio can change from size to size, and that corner will remain in a fairly good position.

[Classyshots]

This is a common problem and I have found the best answer for me is to take two shots if I'm using a zoom lens. Take your shot that is going to end up being cropped leaving the extra space on one side, the other or a little on both sides. Then you can re frame it using your zoom to fill the frame for a full frame shot.

I have fallen in love with full frame size prints, 8" X 12" or 12" X 18" but unless you are cutting your own mats they are hard to find mats for so most people stick to the standard 8" X 10" or 11" X 14".

[Drkranger]

Originally Posted by RoyL

Fill the frame for what you want not what size you are going to print. Any photo should be taken this way.

Photos taken this way are then either distorted when printed at sizes other than the taken dimension, or elements are cropped out. It's not so great to take that classic headshot only to make the head bigger/thinner than what it actually is, or cut off the hair, chin, or ear.

I agree with Classyshots. Leave a little room on all 4 sides (or at least 2, i.e. top & right) to ensure that you can print at a different dimension that what the photo was shot at.

Some cameras (my D300 does) allow you to look at a taken photo at a different dimension. I can view a photo and then see what it'll look like at 5:4 (10x8) or 3:2 (6x4).

[Brave_ulysses]

Yeah i know what you mean, if you're photographing something moving, it can be difficult to just keep it in the viewfinder let alone compose, i find the best way is to zoom out just a little and try and get your subject spack bang in the middle of frame, and take a few shots, that way in PP you should be able to crop it to your liking

[kencaleno]

Always do your cropping in the camera's viewfinder,when you are making your shot. Regards, Ken

[wulf]

Do you mean shots where you know that the aspect ratio of the final print will be different to the aspect ratio of images produced by your camera? You need to get a feel for what you lose, ie. whether the final print will require trimming the sides or the top and bottom of the image to get it to fit.

If you know you are going to print at 5"x7", that only requires 1500x2100px at 300dpi, so you will probably have to resize the image. You still need to have the proportions in mind though.

What is the scenario that is making you set the output size before you take the pictures (I can think of several but was wondering what was leading you in this direction)?

Wulf

[wckeep]

well i am going to be printing 5x7 prints but i am shooting a d40 which gives the 3:2 aspect ratio.

[dannyrich]

OK im back on this wagon again!

I have a d90 and i think my ration is 3:2. I always crop in multiples of this.

Is 5:4 a more professional sizing for larger prints?