Basic Photo Fixes: Cropping Photos with Picasa
When you shoot photos, it's best to compose the picture in the camera exactly the way you want it in your prints. Unfortunately, that noble and artistic goal isn't always possible. For example, sometimes when shooting a sports event or a performance, you can't get close enough to the subject. Other times, there's something in the frame that you didn't notice when you were focusing on the subject. Or perhaps you want your image to be a perfect square instead of the rectangular format your camera shoots. Whatever the reason, Picasa is there to help you crop your image.
Picasa makes it easy to crop any photo so it'll fit exactly on standard print paper (4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10), but you can crop to any size as long as it's rectangular.
Here are the steps:
1. In the Lightbox, double-click the photo to open it in Edit View.
You see your soon-to-be-cropped photo in the work area filling most of the screen. To the left are several buttons, tempting you with photo-fixing options.
2. In the Basic Fixes panel at left, click the Crop button.
Picasa presents you with radio buttons showing dimensions: 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10 (Figure 9-8). If you plan to print your photo to one of these sizes, then choose that format. When you're feeling in more of a freeform mood, choose the Manual option.
3. Drag your cursor across the image to indicate the area you want to keep.
A rectangle appears over the picture representing what your newly cropped photo will look like. You don't have to drag perfectly the first time, because you can adjust the rectangle (also known as the marquee) as much as you want.
4. Make adjustments to the crop.
If you need to move the crop rectangle, just click in the middle and drag it. To resize the crop, simply point at an edge or corner of the crop box and drag it. Picasa maintains the proper proportions throughout (assuming you haven't chosen the Manual option).
5. When everything's just right, click Apply.
Picasa completes the crop and presents you with your new and improved image.
Copyright © 2006 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
When you shoot photos, it's best to compose the picture in the camera exactly the way you want it in your prints. Unfortunately, that noble and artistic goal isn't always possible. For example, sometimes when shooting a sports event or a performance, you can't get close enough to the subject. Other times, there's something in the frame that you didn't notice when you were focusing on the subject. Or perhaps you want your image to be a perfect square instead of the rectangular format your camera shoots. Whatever the reason, Picasa is there to help you crop your image.
Picasa makes it easy to crop any photo so it'll fit exactly on standard print paper (4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10), but you can crop to any size as long as it's rectangular.
Here are the steps:
1. In the Lightbox, double-click the photo to open it in Edit View.
You see your soon-to-be-cropped photo in the work area filling most of the screen. To the left are several buttons, tempting you with photo-fixing options.
2. In the Basic Fixes panel at left, click the Crop button.
Picasa presents you with radio buttons showing dimensions: 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 8 x 10 (Figure 9-8). If you plan to print your photo to one of these sizes, then choose that format. When you're feeling in more of a freeform mood, choose the Manual option.
3. Drag your cursor across the image to indicate the area you want to keep.
A rectangle appears over the picture representing what your newly cropped photo will look like. You don't have to drag perfectly the first time, because you can adjust the rectangle (also known as the marquee) as much as you want.
4. Make adjustments to the crop.
If you need to move the crop rectangle, just click in the middle and drag it. To resize the crop, simply point at an edge or corner of the crop box and drag it. Picasa maintains the proper proportions throughout (assuming you haven't chosen the Manual option).
5. When everything's just right, click Apply.
Picasa completes the crop and presents you with your new and improved image.
Figure 9-8. Left: To crop your photo, choose from one of the standard dimensions or choose Manual.
Right: Adjust the crop frame. To move the frame, click in the center and drag it to a new position. To size the frame, drag one of the edges.
Right: Adjust the crop frame. To move the frame, click in the center and drag it to a new position. To size the frame, drag one of the edges.
Tip: Even after you've cropped a photo and clicked Apply, you still have an opportunity to finetune the crop: In the Basic Fixes panel, you'll see the Crop button now reads Recrop. Clicking Recrop, returns you to the cropping screen with the crop overlay in place over the original photo. At this point, you can adjust the crop to a new setting.
Copyright © 2006 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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