Seems like the forum is pretty quite right now so here is a question for all of you.
I never know what I'm going to want to print or just post until it is finished. When I crop I usually go for the best composition without regard to paper, matt, and frame sizes. Then when I least expect it, it becomes an image that I want to print and frame. Should I just discipline myself to crop using standard sizes? Does anyone else have this dilemma, or creative solutions?

I am yet to take a photo that is good enough to frame, LOL. But that is truly an interesting question, cant wait to see the replies from those who are familiar with this subject.

I crop first, then cut my own matts if the photo doesn't fit a standard size. I'm not very good at it, but after it's in a frame, it's difficult to tell if it's a professional cut matt or not (at least to me). -Taltos

I never cared about the framing process! I crop, then print, then I manage to find a frame that fits! ;)

I believe that a riding crop is really the best method for dicipline. I stings but does not bruse like a whip. Never tried beating my subjects with a frame though. How do you hold the frame? Do you break it into sections? Do you use the long side or the short side?? Seriously, I tend to crop before I print. Occsionally I trim after printing but usually I crop first. Besides there is no reason to waster precious paper right. Bsteph

Hmmmm...... in general I don't do cropping at all, about 98% of my images are in camera compositions.... that being said I don't do standard size prints either.... my personal feeling is that print size is part of the artistic process, and some images work at small sizes and others work better large, it just depends on the image..... for instance I like putting small images like a 4x6 image into a 12X18 frame.... try finding a premade matt that size....! So normally I can't find premade matts that fit.... which stinks because I hate cutting matts..... sometimes I will use a standard matt if the image has lots of space and cropping with the matt does not interfere with the compo in anyway....

I hardly ever crop an image, always try to use all the resolution that I have, and compose a shot with that in mind. Or I might as well have a 3mp cam. Oh My, I never buy pre-made matt, I cut all my own, not my fave job I must say, but love the Logan system, for making it easier. I cut all my matt the same size regardless of print size, a small print in a big matt can be very powerful. And it keeps all my work the same size! I'm nerdy like that.

Yep I am in the no crop brigade too I try and get em right in Camera quality is often reduced Sometimes I use card to crop and place this over a larger image if I may have missed a more creative view

WOW!!! What an eye opener. Digital or laziness has caused me to slip into some really bad habits! The fact that I can shoot fifty rolls of film with a 1 gig card , the flip out LCD on my G5, plus photoshop has caused me to quit composing thru the viewfinder. That's it I am buying a D70 besides I am sick of the shutter lag. Thanks for all the suggestions they all seem like good solutions to this issue although I don't relish the idea of cutting matt board:}

Message edited on: 03/17/2005 18:45

ah, cropping, my least favorite aspect of photography. it has always been a pain to me on whether to crop or not to crop. I tend to shoot a lot of images at lots of different angles or POV. It's not unusual for me to take 60-70 images of say a statue for instance, from every angle, setting, or concievable way of shooting it. Some of the cropping is as has been said "in camera". however after looking through all of the images, I might find that just a "certain angle" or whatever looks a little better if cropped a bit differently. I guess a lot of it has to do with how I feel about the image after a second or third look. the "mood" that I was going for when I shot the image may change with time so that the crop changes some what after the fact. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that "technically" I don't have a clue to what I'm doing, I shoot by "eye" or feeling. Basically seat of the pants flying style of photography. I'm afraid that if I were to actually learn how to shoot, I might lose the "creative aspect" of my photography. So it's rather hit or miss, but sometimes I get lucky and get a decent shot. as for mats, I tend to use storebought standard sizes.

I tend to crop then make the matting to go with the photo. I have recently started rolling... er- I mean cutting my own and getting better with each mat. It takes patience & practice but it looks better having maybe an 8x8 image- one thats not "standard size" in a frame. But also- a mediocre image can be made much better by cropping effectively.

i've really been working on getting composition the way i want it in the cam so i don't have to crop. I'm getting better but not anywhere near there. framing some of MY photos???? LMAO....i still haven't taken any pictures that are decent enough to frame. sigh

I'm a MIXED BAG... I've been really trying to compose "In Camera"...and have been practicing this ALOT! There are STILL times when I actually view the image on the monitor that I start screwing around with different crops to either add focus to the main subject or remove distractions that were captured intially For Xmas I printed a bunch of my images and did the MATT/FRAME thing for gifts...very time consuming BUT rewarding when ya see the final piece!

I have taken some images which "to me" are decent enough to frame..mind you, not in a gallery but for me. I am cropping less now using better composition in the first place but still...there is a part of an image when the crop frame is run over it or image is zoomed that really needs to be seen "alone" in itself. So, when I crop I like to go near the "rule of thirds" but am not hampered by that or by shape. Rectangles are either nice or simply appear out of proportion, in images and art and architecture.(spelling?) Some eyes just cling, cling to the symmeterical and that is not me in many regards. So, I have a pile of prints of "non standard size image area" without frames! These will someday be framed, matted properly first of course. But to have it done is very costly. So..here are the prints and not on the wall. Whew,..Tom.

pretty quiet? LOL!! been gone all day... lots to read, but with great interest! :]
much the same, like to try & stay with the in cam compo now that one can take so many shots at dif distance with going digi,
but i do like to play & end up with odd sizes
personally, for now, I don't see anything wrong with borders showing,
getting better with cutting matt all the time :] (wanna see my scars? hehe)

Message edited on: 03/18/2005 00:00

I like to think that once I have seen a potential image I compose the image I want in camera, I want all the 6 million pixel sensor in the camera working to record my image to give the best possible results, I use large file sizes because I always think my next capture will be the best I have ever taken and I am not prepared to compromise quality for quantity, I can always make a reduced size image file later if need be, old school thinking maybe but perhaps that is because I am !