Photo cropping 101
Why are photos cropped?
When your camera creates an image, it does so at a fixed ratio. Typically cameras today capture images that are the 4"x6" standard. But what happens when you want to print an 8"x10"? If you were to just stretch it to that size the image would be distorted and everyone in the photo would look squat and fat! Not too flattering. The solution is to chop off part of the image.
How much do you chop off?
That depends on the size of the print, or rather, on the aspect ratio of the print. Different ratios require different crops. The closer the original image is to the final print size, the less that will need to be cropped out.
What determines where the crop is?
The elements in the photograph determine where the crop happens. The photographer will judge the best composition of these elements in relation to the final print size. Composition of the photo is very important because the better it is, the more pleasing the photo will be to the eye.
Examples
Here's some examples of typical print sizes and the amount of the crop that happens for each.
4"x6"
5"x7"
8"x10"
11"x14"
