Why Crop?

[Bernice Loui]

Inspired by the, "Do you use 100% of a LF negative."
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...-a-LF-negative

Reason(s) for cropping any image during the print making process?


Bernice

[Pieter]

Why not?

[Vaughn]

Why not?

Why not not?

To crop or not to crop is a personal aesthetic decision, depending on the photographer's needs and desires. There is no right or wrong here -- just, does the image work. Why do you crop?

[faberryman]

There are only two reasons to crop:

1. You composition does not fit the aspect ratio of the camera, or
2. You could not or did not frame your composition properly at the time you made the image.

[Larry Gebhardt]

There are only two reasons to crop:

1. You composition does not fit the aspect ratio of the camera, or
2. You could not or did not frame your composition properly at the time you made the image.

3. You float mount your prints and need a clean cut in the image area, so at least a very slight crop.
4. You use a viewfinder based camera like a crown graphic or travelwide and shoot a bit loose in exchange for speed.

I take issue with the word "properly" as it implies there is a correct way of doing something.

[invisibleflash]

If it improves photo.

[Jac@stafford.net]

No deity declared film format ratios. Get over it.

[BrianShaw]

No diety declared painters and their methods to be more righteous than any other form of visual arts.

[Vaughn]

No diety declared painters and their methods to be more righteous than any other form of visual arts.

What do you have against fat painters?

But painters do have a historic advantage...but I did appreciate someone's comment about being careful and not looking at just European/western painters use of compostion.

[Pieter]

No diety declared painters and their methods to be more righteous than any other form of visual arts.

Painters have the advantage of being able to move (or remove) objects as they see fit for their compositions. Photographers have to use other methods (cropping, dodging, burning) it improve theirs. Painters are not restricted (unless they are painting a mural or ceiling) to certain fixed proportions or sizes, either.