point of focus - photography from an art director's point of view - cropping

introduction -
http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/point-of-focus-photography-from-art_5648.html
a. Reducing Clutter -
http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/point-of-focus-photography-from-art_809.html

b. Cropping

photo by Gilbert de Vera for Digital Photography Plus

From a magazine art director’s point of view, one important skill a good photographer should have is being able to crop their image well. It is an essential factor that sometimes delineates an excellent photograph from the mediocre. It can even make or break a composition. It also sets apart use of non-full frame cameras to full frame cameras when doing magazine cover photos. It was discussed in an earlier article through this link:
http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2011/09/digital-cameras-full-frame-and-non-full.html).

So just when do you crop your image? A photographer can by instinct crop their image as they shoot. It is part of their eye-training as they compose the elements in a frame. It depends on one’s personal style whether to crop more tightly for a more dramatic or unusual look, or to crop just enough to remove unneeded elements. The important thing is getting rid of the unnecessary parts.

Another way of cropping is software based like if you trim down your photo using Adobe Photoshop or any photo manipulating software. Trimming down a photo so much through photo manipulation can substantially reduce the resolution of your photograph though.

c. Vignetting -
http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/point-of-focus-photography-from-art_29.html
d. Selective-focusing -
http://dpplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/point-of-focus-photography-from-art.html