Tip #14: Cropping People

First of all what is cropping. Cropping is the process of aligning the good bits and removing the bad bits or clutter out of a picture. Cropping can be done in the view finder - the preferred method - or in post processing with photo editing software.

Is it OK to crop people? Of course it is, as long as you crop them in interesting ways. Generally speaking, when you crop people avoid natural joints. That is, don't put the edge of your photo at a wrist, ankle, elbow, knee, or shoulder joint. Don't chop off toes or fingers and certainly avoid the neck. Loose heads are just not pleasant.

How about the top of the head? This crop is a bit controversial. An occasional crop of a hairstyle that adds little to a pretty face is OK. Some photographers never do this style of cropping, but you often see it in advertising:



Photo: Lands' End Online Catalog


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