2. In This Chapter, you’ll learn on:
The rational for cropping, adjusting and rotating
images.
Identifying the areas in an image that could be
removed.
Cropping an image using the crop tool and select
tool.
Rotating and adjusting the image position for
greater balance and focus.
3. The rational for cropping, adjusting and rotating
images
Image manipulation is the application of image
editing techniques to digital images photographs to
correct and enhance as well as create the illusion of
a photo that is well taken. It encompasses alteration
of digital images by cropping, trimming and rotation
to adjust an images position, balance and focus
using digital images editing software.
4. Understanding Image Cropping, Trimming and
Rotation
What is cropping?
To crop an image is to remove or trim off excess area
using Image Editing Software. A primary reason for
cropping is to improve the image composition in the
new image. Cropping creates a new image by
selecting a desired rectangular portion from the
image being cropped. Resolutions of Images are
retained after cropping.
5. Understanding Image Cropping, Trimming and
Rotation
What is cropping?
Original Image from camera Image cropped with digital editor
6. Image Adjustments
To adjust an image is to perform digital editing to improve visual
appearance and overall quality. Adjusting an image includes
improving the overall contrast of an image, removing
undesirable colour casts, changing the brightness lighting,
bringing out details that were otherwise hidden by poor
lighting. It also means enhancing the colour saturation or taking
away the color altogether.
Image Rotation
Rotating an image is to adjust the image through a circular
movement around the center point. It allows the image to be
lined up with or fit the placements of other elements in your
design work. One of the common ways to rotate an image is to
utilize the image rotation function. Most images editing
software also come with a “transform” or “free transform”
function which allows users to turn the image dragging the
corner of the image.
7. Identifying the areas in an image that could be removed
Most raw images often have framing mistakes, unwanted
background objects or are not balance visually, hence
resulting in a less than ideal image composition.
Removing excess areas in an image improves the
composition.
Correcting Framing Errors and Creating Balance
The image shows an example of a photo with poor
framing, resulting in the lack of visual balance. With
excess head room and other areas surrounding the main
object, it becomes easy for viewers to be lost and not
know where to focus. Cropping the image tighter makes
the image more dynamic and brings out the main focal
point.
9. Editing Distractions
Another common mistake some photographers make is
to shoot the main object with some some distracting
elements in the background. These elements are often
not noticed when the shooting process was taking place.
Cropping off portions of the background with the
unwanted element will solve the problem.
Changing the Format of an Image
Removing areas of an image is sometimes done to
change the format or orientation. For example, an image
that is shot in landscape format can be cropped into
becoming a portrait format. Other times, images are
cropped into more creative dimensions such as square or
odd shapes.
10. Removing areas in the
image changes it to a
portrait image.
An image shot Originally in
Landscape format.
Strengthening the shot by making
the crop tighter.
11. Cropping an image using the crop tool and select tool
Cropping an Image Using the Crop Tool
To crop an image using the Crop Tool, utilize the Crop Tool on the tool
bar.
Click on the Crop Tool in the toolbox. The crop tool allows you to select
the area which you wish to retain. Once you have selected the area
you wish to retain, the selected area will be highlighted and surrounded
by a selection with selection handles. The selection handles allow you to
make changes to the area you have selected. To perform the crop, hit
the enter key.
12. Area outside the selection
will be removed cropping
Selection with selection
handles.
13. Cropping An Image Using Select Tool
To crop an image using the Select Tool, utilize the
selection tool on the tool bar . Most image editing
tools comes with at least one selection tool. Select
an area on your image using the selection tool. You
will see a selection outline appear around the edges
of the area to be retained after cropping the image.
The outline can be moved by clicking anywhere
inside of the selection and dragging it to a new
locationYou can move the selection outline as well
by clicking anywhere inside of the selection and
dragging it to a new location
14. Cropping An Image Using Select Tool
Area selected for cropping
To trip off unwanted area, Go up
to the Image menu at the top of
the screen and choose Crop.
15. Rotating and adjusting the image position for greater
balance and focus
Apart from the removal of excess area in an image to
improve balance, rotation to adjust an object’s position is
sometimes used to achieve this. Most images editing
software also come with a “transform” or “free transform”
function which allows users to turn the image dragging
the corner of the image. Another way is to rotate an
image is to utilize the image rotation function. To improve
the visual balance and focal point of an image,
adjustments can be done to both the position of an
object as well as the size of an object. This is particularly
so if the designer is working on multiple layers and
attempting to position an object on another background.
The “free transform” function is commonly used for such
adjustments.
