How to Crop Your Photos Properly

Here’s a list of three quick tips that will come in very handy the next time you’re cropping your digital photos.

1. Remember the Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a simple photo composition rule that helps create dynamic tension between your subject and setting while also keeping them in harmony with each other. This effect is achieved by framing photos to bring the setting into greater prominence by moving your subject away from the center of your photo. Doing this helps force your audience to move their eyes through the entire composition and give it a fuller appreciation.

2. Remember to leave space around the edges
It is important to leave space around the edges of your photos to enhance its artistic appeal. You’ll also allow more to be done with the photos, such as framing them. Try not to place your subject, or other important objects in your photo too close to the edge when cropping.
For example, if you have a nice full-body portrait of someone seated in front of a fountain in a public square, you will not want to crop right below their feet as this might mean cutting their feet out of the photo when you put it in a frame. Also, placing important elements too close to the edge when framing or cropping photos draws peoples eyes out of the photo and distracts their concentration.

3. Always maintain the aspect ratio
The standard aspect ratio for digital photos is 4x3, while the standard for 35mm film photos is 3x2. For best results, you should therefore concentrate on maintaining aspect ratio when cropping. This will ensure that you can continue to make standard size prints as well as keep people from wondering why your photo is an odd shape. Alternatively, many medium format photos are square, so cropping your photo into a square can be another possibility here.