Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]David Rodgers <david.rodgers@xo.com> wrote: > In a post I just sent out I mentioned that I don't like cropping. > I think one of the negatives aspects to digital photography > is that I've really become lazy in my framing. I mean, if I want > a black border in a silver print I must print full frame. (I know > there are some work arounds, but they're a pain and they > just don't look the same). With digital I can crop to my heart's > content and then just push a key and my macro places a > black border. (Heck, I can even crop my Leica 35mm negs > square and put a Hasselblad notch border on them). But is > cropping good or bad? I always feel as though I missed the > mark -- i.e. got lazy in my seeing -- if I have to crop. Just > curious as to what other people think. I don't have a problem with cropping. To me it's just another technique like dodging & burning or toning. But I prefer to get the framing right in the camera. (Imposing restrictions on yourself is good...it encourages decisive action.) Sometimes it can't be done, though...I have only a 35mm lens with me when a 50 would be just the thing but I can't get any closer to the subject. Or I come across a subject that cries out for square or 4:3 (or whatever) framing. In such cases I'll gladly crop rather than try to force the composition to suit the lens I've got or fit into the full-frame 3:2 ratio. - -Dave-