How To Crop An Image

Posted by Jo Murphy Nov 6, 2007

To crop means to clip or cut. It also means to neaten up or trim something. When talking about computer art the term refers to neatening an image by cutting some away.

Why Photographers and Designers Crop Images

Cropping an image in a computer software programme is similar to composing an image when taking a photograph. During the photographic process the artist will focus the lens of a camera to zoom in on selected subject matter so that it is centred creatively within the Composition.

Graphic Art Computer Programmes help artists to perform this function artificially. This process gives the photographer a second chance when composing a design. The process of selection allows the designer to select out the part of the picture that is wanted and to carve away the rest.

When To Use The Crop Tool

Many software programmes have a crop tool which has handles that computer artists use to slide in and out so that they can see what the picture will look like when cropped. It is almost like an artificial frame or window through which the designer can look. This allows her to play around with the image until she is satisfied with the way the image ‘sits’.

• Artists selectively crop pictures to compose a design
• and to resize an image. The file might need to be smaller for a particular purpose such as the creation of an Online Jigsaw
• She might also splice, slice and dice images when making collages

When students are learning about design they may not realise how much of a picture plane can be wasted dead space. By asking them to crop images the teacher facilitates an awareness of the possibilities that juggling Positive and Negative space can bring to a design. Designs can be enhanced visually as well as functionally.