Creative Cropping

For scrapbookers, there are two meanings of the word "crop".

1. A gathering of scrapbookers who enjoy each others' company while designing layouts.

2. Cutting a photo so it looks better.

I will be discussing number 2 and will attempt to explain how to cut your photo to make it more visually pleasing. You can "crop" with Photoshop, a trimmer, or even scissors.

You know there's a story behind this post, and it has to do with a recent mini weekend holiday my hubby and I enjoyed in July. 

We ditched the teenagers (if you're following my blog, you'll know why) and decided to spend a lovely 4 days, Friday to Monday, at our friends' new home on Lake Okanagan. (For my American friends, this is a gorgeous summer destination for lots of Albertans where it's hot hot hot and the drinks are cold cold cold.) Our friends live between Kelowna and Vernon in British Columbia.

Have you ever had a trip and felt it was just the most fabulous and even glamorous vacation experience? And then get home and your photos are disappointing and do nothing to prove that you looked great while you wined and dined?

Let me explain with some "creative cropping" and a couple of pics from our trip...

We had lunch on an amazing restaurant patio with a spectacular view of the vineyard and lake below....

YIKES!  All I can see when I look at this photo is that enormous ARM!!! Did someone inflate it?? The term "blow up doll" comes to mind.

Here's where cropping comes in handy....

The "Arm Liposuction" crop

Hmmmm...but there's a messy table with my camera bag.  Plus, I'm looking a little "top heavy". Let's improve this composition....

The "Breast Reduction" crop

If I want to highlight the dreamy landscape in the background, I could cut my photo like this

No inflatable arm detracting from this beautiful setting in the background

Just to prove that I am not a giantess with massive arms and breasts, here is a nicer photo that is not cropped at all.

In front of Gray Monk Vineyard Restaurant

Let's say your mini vacay did NOT go well.  You were angry with your husband and want to remember the trip without him in it....

The "Divorce" crop

Luckily, I did not have to perform the Divorce Crop because my hubby and I had the most wonderful time all weekend long.

And my final bit of cropping advice....don't overdo it.  Remember your photo might not be perfect but it always tells a story and captures that special moment in time....

Extreme Crop

The smile says it all :)