For this week’s Lens Artist Challenge #96 Patti says to give examples of Cropping the Shot.
Unless you’re a purist, there are many good reasons to crop a shot. To eliminate distractions. To isolate the central feature. To emphasize the sight lines.
Purists will say that you should have done this when you framed the shot.
Well, lah di daa.
I’m no purist. I crop and straighten and adjust all the time. It’s why I love digital photography. The ability to adjust and reclaim crap shots. To re-make photos into better pictures than I actually took.
In a recent article Edge of Humanity Magazine featured street photographer Daniel Castonguay who distorts photos into art. Inspired, I started playing around with photos taken during a visit to Cuba. It turns out that I didn’t have the right kind of images for distortion. But once started I kept going, adjusting contrast, colors and light. I also played with the crop.
Which brings me the forth reason for cropping. Consistency. I have a few rules when assembling a photo collection.
- Color or Monochrome
- One theme
- One aspect ratio
Nothing bugs me more than a mess of photos with a mix of color, theme and aspect ratios. I’m no purist but I do like consistency.
To illustrate … click through to view images full size and compare effect.
Compared to …
Thanks to Patti for this week’s challenge. She has some helpful pointers in cropping and great examples to see. If you haven’t yet, you should check it out!
Photo taken in Santiago de Cuba, 2018
The Sandy Chronicles 
It’s always intriguing to me to see photos of American cars in Cuba. Car-wise, the past is alive there.
See ya. Take care.
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It is something to see these cars driving around, part of everyday life. It’s like stepping back into the 50’s. Because they were so mechanical, auto mechanics in Cuba have been able to keep them running with salvaged parts and pieces.
I don’t think they’d be able to do with our modern autos. I’m sure they’d like to give it a try though 🙂
Thanks for dropping by Neil.
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Difference indeed – soothing to the eye.
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Thanks for dropping by!
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♥
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Very cool photos, Sandy! I think you achieved the emphasis of sight lines and minimizing distractions.
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Normally I dont take photos of cars but it’s an iconic part of Cuban life
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Absolutely, I have heard about the Cuban cars. They really have a mystique about them.
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Hmm. Interesting photos, but I don’t see the differences. It’s why I take pictures and not photographs.
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I started to appreciate the difference when I started making documentary videos using slideshows. Now I see it everywhere. WordPress does a good job of assembling mosaics, so the effect is not as obvious.
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Super. Thanks. I’m having another look as we speak. 🙂
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Great cropping post, Sandy. I see what you mean about keeping the aspect ratios the same. What a difference. And a great gallery.
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Great challenge Patti! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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