We sometimes cannot get our composition spot on in camera and often need to go into post-processing to sort it out. These days most computers and even smartphones and tablets have software to crop photographs. Complicated and expensive software is not needed for this. It is a post-processing tool which, in my opinion, can add power to an image. Not all images need to be cropped but some in particular, once cropped, can create a much more powerful image.

Have a look at the three images below, processed somewhat but they haven’t been cropped.

Now have a look at these images after I have cropped them.

Notice the difference it makes with a simple crop. A more powerful image is produced after the crop because it places more emphasis on the eyes of the subject which is usually one of the main attraction points in a photograph of wildlife or even people. It also gets rid of any distractions from other parts of the image, for example branches or grass.

So next time you are busy processing your images, try cropping some quite tight like the examples above. Obviously not all images will work out, but you just never know when you might be able to produce a winner!

Go on, try something different!

Pravir Patel