I might note that unless one is only interested in scenes with a very specific aspect ratio (one that matches the camera being used), cropping is to be expected. The alternative would be not capturing everything that one -is- interested in showing..

Or for very small or far away subjects; most of us can't fly, and birds in flight can be at significant distances away, so it is hardly uncommon for those to be cropped. And so forth..

As for 'correct', that's artistic judgment, although it's usually good to avoid distracting elements protruding into the frame or the like...

I nearly always crop my photos. Sometimes only very slightly, because I do try to frame them properly in the first place, but there's nothing wrong with doing it if it makes the picture better..

Often it's because I didn't get the picture level when I took it. Then you have to rotate the photo slightly and crop a little bit off the edge. So I generally leave a bit of room when I'm taking the photo, especially if it's a quick shot. If I was using a tripod and a spirit level and really taking my time, I might be more likely to get the shot I wanted..

You don't need to go anywhere to learn how to do it. Just experiment. On copies of your images of course, not the originals..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Some people make a big deal about not cropping their photos and consider it a failure if you crop your images. I'm not one of them. When I shoot, of course I compose and frame my shots, but I also leave a little room for cropping. In my view, most shots can be improved with a little careful cropping, and it's almost unavoidable if you intend to print at certain standard sizes like 8x10 for instance..

Marion..

And neither do the photos we take. Some could be very much improved by printing or trimming to a different size and format..

The standard sizes should be just a guideline or a point of departure..

Good luck..

If you think that makes sense, then you must have read someone else's post!..

Eduardo Dourado wrote:.

Do you re-frame your pictures or do you allways takecare to get it just right..

When I can, I take the time and compose it close to perfect. I say close because I've learned to leave a little room for cropping to different aspect ratios for popular prints sizes..

When shooting fast and loose I always shoot a little wider than I want the final shots to be and worry about critical cropping in post. If exposure, DOF, WB and general orientation are right, you can get away with a good bit of cropping with current technology. (Assuming at least 8MP.).

Chefziggyhttp://www.pbase.com/chefziggy/lecream..

... that you can always cut off of your photo, but you can never stick to it. His advice was to always frame for cropping. I do not remember who he was..

In the digital world, cropping is even easier to do. I am not ashamed of that 9/10 of my photos are cropped (maybe 9 of 10). Especially, that my SLR's viewfinder only shows 95% of the frame, so correct framing is not really possible anyway..

Kris..