Chap37

DIGITAL MEDIA FUNDAMENTALS

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

Understanding Image Cropping, Trimming and Rotation

What is cropping?

Original Image from camera Image cropped with digital editor

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

Identifying the areas in an image that could be removedMost 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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

Image before removal of excess area

Image with improved framing

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

Area outside the selection will be removed cropping

Selection with selection handles.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.

Techniques of cropping, trimming and rotation.

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.