5x7 Crop

I have a photo that I need to print as a 5x7, but it will chop off integral parts of the photo. What do in a situation such as this?

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #16613655
I have a photo that I need to print as a 5x7, but it will chop off integral parts of the photo. What do in a situation such as this?

Dont crop it. Keep in mind that your camera's native format is 2x3 so you can make enlargements in multiples, 4x6, 8x12 etc. All other sizes will require cropping. Its always useful to remember what sizes you want to enlarge to when you are shooting so you can leave some room for the image to be cropped. For Instance if you shoot portraits that might be printed at 8x10 then you need to remember to leave some extra room on the long end. In the case of a shot you've already taken you either need to select a different size, or bite the bullet and crop it.

Some options:
- Print it 7 x 4.6, 6x4, etc
- Put black/white bars at the edges
- Extend the image if the background can be stretched

Think about your print size when you're shooting. Cropping later's easy.

Sometimes, depending on the image of course, an extra bit of background foliage or sky or something can be cloned on to a margin.

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #16613655
I have a photo that I need to print as a 5x7, but it will chop off integral parts of the photo. What do in a situation such as this?

Crop and try to make the best of it. For the future - shoot a little wider to allow for cropping.

If a photo has to be printed in anything other than it's native ratio, then something is going to be lost. There is no choice. Technically you could reshape it, but that would distort the image, and I assume that would be much less desirable than a slight crop.

You will lose a small amount from the top and bottom in portrait view, or a little off each side in landscape. It's not that much, and most images don't require complete edge to edge composition. If yours does, then you have a dilemma.

Out of curiosity, why does it have to be 5x7?

Preeb wrote in post #16614374
If a photo has to be printed in anything other than it's native ratio, then something is going to be lost. There is no choice. Technically you could reshape it, but that would distort the image, and I assume that would be much less desirable than a slight crop.

You will lose a small amount from the top and bottom in portrait view, or a little off each side in landscape. It's not that much, and most images don't require complete edge to edge composition. If yours does, then you have a dilemma.

Out of curiosity, why does it have to be 5x7?

Picture frame size (??)

I get this all the time and am often asked for 5x7s for this reason.

drvnbysound wrote in post #16614471
Picture frame size (??)

I get this all the time and am often asked for 5x7s for this reason.

Isn't that what custom frames or matting is for?

Preeb wrote in post #16614656
Isn't that what custom frames or matting is for?

Being able to use off the shelf framing is often much easier, quicker, and of course cheaper. I can get 20"×16" frames that do the job, off the shelf in my local town for under £10 including a 16"×12" mat. They do not provide an 18"×12" mat option though. Generally getting an 18×12 mat is going to cost me more than the frame. As this is mostly for personal use, or friends and family I have to consider the cost carefully. Even if I'm selling prints though I want to control costs, and sizing to fit the avilable framing options is a good way of doing that.

Alan

Preeb wrote in post #16614656
Isn't that what custom frames or matting is for?

Sorry. I wasn't referring to standard frames, but rather ones that are styled with wording (e.g. best friends, sisters, cousins, etc) or graphics placed on them (e.g. fireman picture frame)

BigAl007 wrote in post #16615077
Being able to use off the shelf framing is often much easier, quicker, and of course cheaper. I can get 20"×16" frames that do the job, off the shelf in my local town for under £10 including a 16"×12" mat. They do not provide an 18"×12" mat option though. Generally getting an 18×12 mat is going to cost me more than the frame. As this is mostly for personal use, or friends and family I have to consider the cost carefully. Even if I'm selling prints though I want to control costs, and sizing to fit the avilable framing options is a good way of doing that.

Alan

All I can say is that if the OP's image is such that it doesn't allow cropping, then her only real option is custom. It's also an option to make it yourself and save money.

Actually, a 5x7 is pretty much my favorite "small" print size, as in a "coffee table" print, although I've done plenty of 8x10s... the key is to frame the shot so that it can be cropped...otherwise, well, people do some "magic" with "photoshopping", but there are limits...

I would usually want to crop rather than mat a 3/2 ratio image. The bottom line is that many portraits just look better in the 5x7 or 8x10 aspect ratio. 3/2 is often too narrow.

Player9 wrote in post #16621728
I would usually want to crop rather than mat a 3/2 ratio image. The bottom line is that many portraits just look better in the 5x7 or 8x10 aspect ratio. 3/2 is often too narrow.

No argument there. Landscapes on the other hand are fine in the wider view.

I loathe 8x10.